A majority of patient deaths within two years of TAVR can be linked to cardiovascular complications, according to new research published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Can follow-up care be improved to combat this trend? 

Researchers explored data from the first 10 patients treated with a new self-expanding TAVR device from KOKA Lifesciences. After 30 days, there were no patient deaths and only one adverse event.

New research in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions explored the potential of performing EP studies before and after valve deployment. TAVR operators handled all catheter manipulations, and EP specialists were on hand to capture the necessary measurements. 

Post-TAVR stroke is rare, but it can be fatal. A new study in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions examined the issue in great detail, focusing on more than 2,700 patients treated over a two-year stretch. 

“Our results beg the question of whether pre-TAVR baseline coronary angiography is even necessary,” researchers wrote in the American Journal of Cardiology.

The biggest differences between the two treatment options were major bleeding events and all-cause mortality. There was no significant difference when it came to stroke risk. 

Researchers examined two-year data from transfemoral TAVR patients treated with low-dose aspirin and 30 days of warfarin or just aspirin on its own. 

The new valve arrives fully premounted on a delivery system and was designed to allow resheathing or complete recapture/redeployment if necessary.