TAVR

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a key structural heart procedure that has rapidly expanded in the decade since it was first FDA cleared. TAVR has come a paradigm shift in how many aortic stenosis patients are treated, now making up more than 50% of U.S. aortic valve replacements. It is less invasive than open heart surgery and recovery times are greatly reduced. TAVR can also be used in patients who otherwise are too high risk to undergo surgery. TAVR is referred to as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in many placed outside of the U.S. TAVR inspired the growing areas of transcatheter mitral repair or replacement and transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement.

How monitoring MR can help cardiologists anticipate TAVR outcomes in patients with low-flow, low-gradient AS

Researchers uncovered new details about how mitral regurgitation can impact one-year TAVR outcomes, sharing their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. These structural heart procedures require a team approach.

TAVR safe and effective for severe AS patients with a very low gradient

Yes, all-cause cause mortality is higher among TAVR patients with a very low baseline gradient, but the difference is almost entirely due to those patients presenting with more comorbidities. 

Video of Rebecca Hahn, MD, explains the roles and economics of interventional echocardiographers. #ASE #ASE23 #Structuralheart #echofirst

Interventional echocardiographers play a key role in the treatment of structural heart disease

Rebecca Hahn, MD, examines the growing role of the dedicated interventional echocardiographer and how these imagers are paid.

Vienna Aortic Self-Expandable Transcatheter Valve premounted on the delivery system

New TAVR valve, premounted to save cardiologists time, linked to promising 30-day outcomes

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

alternative approaches for transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures

Alternative TAVR techniques: How to proceed when transfemoral access is not recommended

A team of researchers from the United States and Sweden explored data from nearly 12,000 TAVR patients for a new systematic review and meta-analysis. 

fasting before tavr or ablation

Relaxed fasting instructions prior to TAVR, other heart procedures do not affect outcomes

Fasting before major operations has been common in healthcare for nearly 80 years, but that has started to change since the turn of the century. 

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Surgeon sues hospital after being fired for discussing TAVR concerns with media

The vascular surgeon was fired after telling the media about a cardiologist who allegedly performed transcatheter aortic valve replacement without the proper credentials. He is now suing the hospital for wrongful termination and defamation.

The 25 best U.S. cardiology hospitals ranked

U.S. News & World Report's annual rankings of heart hospitals named Cleveland Clinic No. 1, once again, but there were many changes among the other top 25 hospitals. 

Around the web

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.