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.

CTA images before TAVR to screen for coronary artery disease

Cardiac CT before TAVR detects CAD with high accuracy, suggesting a reduced need for invasive imaging

New research from a team of specialists at Cleveland Clinic included data from more than 2,000 TAVR patients.

August 31, 2023
Mitral valve with regurgitation 3D ICE Siemens ICE at #ASE2023.

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.

August 30, 2023
A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago.

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. 

August 22, 2023
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.

August 17, 2023
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. 

August 16, 2023
Alternative access approaches for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. courtesy of Interventional Cardiology Review 2018;13(3):145–50.

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. 

August 11, 2023
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. 

August 9, 2023
money gavel court lawsuit legal judge judgement

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.

August 8, 2023

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