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.

New data on cardiac damage before and after AVR suggests earlier treatment may be beneficial

Patients with higher levels of extravalvular cardiac damage prior to TAVR or SAVR face a higher risk of dying within two years, according to new findings presented at EuroPCR 2022 in Paris.

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

TAVR vs. surgery: A new look at 1-year outcomes among moderate-risk patients with severe, symptomatic AS

All-cause mortality after one year was 4.6% for the TAVR group and 6.6% for the SAVR group

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TAVR safe and effective for patients with mixed aortic valve disease

MAVD patients did face a higher risk of requiring a permanent pacemaker, researchers noted, though the reason for this trend remains unclear. 

CT-FFR before TAVR improves detection of coronary artery disease, limits invasive imaging exams

CT-FFR, which recently got a boost from the 2021 AHA/ACC chest pain guidelines, could play a key role for clinicians hoping to screen TAVR patients for coronary heart disease. 

Balloon valvuloplasty months after implantation is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with transcatheter heart valve (THV) dysfunction, according to a new analysis published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Late balloon valvuloplasty safe and effective for patients with THV dysfunction

The median time from heart valve implantation to balloon dilatation was 4.6 months.

TAVR Medtronic Evolut EXPAND TAVR II Pivotal Trial,

Is TAVR a sensible choice for patients with moderate, symptomatic aortic stenosis? Medtronic aims to find out

The trial is expected to enroll up to 650 patients from as many as 100 different facilities throughout the world.

transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure guided by CT fusion imaging on a patient with heart failure and a blood clot

Cardiologists and surgeons perform first TAVR using CT imaging guidance on HF patient with blood clot

“We believe this case is potentially groundbreaking," one interventional cardiologist said. 

The steps involved to gain transcaval access between the inferior vena cava and the aorta to avoid problematic anatomical areas that would have otherwise disqualified a patient for a femoral access TAVR procedure. Illustration of the NIH

Transcaval TAVR outperforms transaxillary TAVR when femoral access is not an option

Transcaval TAVR was linked to a much lower stroke rate and fewer bleeding complications. 

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