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.

Thumbnail

Albuminuria linked to worse TAVR outcomes, including a higher risk of death

“Because patients with aortic stenosis are old and commonly have chronic kidney disease, it is essential to evaluate the renal function before TAVR," the study's authors wrote. “Albuminuria indicates glomerular injury and is an important factor in the assessment of renal function or diagnosis of chronic kidney disease."

transcarotid TAVR TAVI transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Transcarotid TAVR a safe alternative when femoral access is not an option

The conventional transfemoral approach is not always possible during TAVR procedures, leaving care teams with an important decision to make. 

An updated look at how cognitive impairment affects TAVR outcomes

The connection between cognitive impairment and postoperative delirium among TAVR patients stood out as a definite concern to the study's authors.

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare

Severe prosthesis-patient mismatch after TAVR linked to a higher risk of death

Researchers examined data from 82,000 TAVR patients, focusing on echocardiography-defined PPM. They shared their results in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.

hospital ward

5 key predictors of heart failure hospitalizations after TAVR

Diabetes and atrial fibrillation are just some of the factors that can increase a patient's risk of being hospitalized for heart failure within one year of undergoing a successful TAVR procedure.

Thumbnail

Preventing AKI after TAVR may help lessen the impact of chronic kidney disease

If researchers can find ways to prevent AKI after TAVR, it could help decrease the risk of poor outcomes in more ways than one. 

womanconsultation.jpg

Underdiagnosed and undertreated: How cardiologists and primary care physicians are working together to identify patients with severe aortic stenosis

Sponsored by Medtronic

Aortic stenosis (AS) is one of the most common—and growing—cardiac conditions. In particular, the prevalence of severe AS rises markedly among elderly Americans, affecting an estimated 3.4% of Americans 75 and older.[1]

Q&A: What the impressive durability of self-expanding TAVR valves means for patient care, shared decision-making

Sponsored by Medtronic

Updates about transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are always big news, but the new five-year data from the CoreValve™ US Pivotal and SURTAVI trials came as a welcome surprise to many cardiologists. 

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.