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.

Self-expandable TAVR cusp-overlap ICE

ICE guidance reduces risk of permanent pacemaker implantation after TAVR with a self-expandable valve

Heart teams can limit the risk of conduction disturbances that lead to permanent pacemaker implantation by utilizing both the cusp-overlap method and intracardiac echocardiography.

January 17, 2024
2024 has been a banner year for structural heart treatments, especially those focused on the tricuspid valve. In February, for example, Edwards Lifesciences made history when its Evoque transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) system became the first device of its kind to gain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for treating tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Two months later, Abbott’s TriClip transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system also gained FDA approval for the treatment of TR.

Valve-in-valve TAVR an effective tool for treating structural valve degeneration after SAVR

With heart teams performing valve-in-valve TAVR more and more, researchers wanted to take a fresh look at patient outcomes. Overall, they found, the procedure was linked to a low mortality rate and fewer permanent pacemakers than native-valve TAVR.

January 16, 2024
TAVR after mitral valve replacement

TAVR after mitral valve replacement linked to positive outcomes, but heart teams must plan ahead

Researchers in India performed TAVR on two relatively young patients with a preexisting mechanical mitral valve, sharing their experience in a new case report. The group highlighted the importance of planning ahead.

January 10, 2024
transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)

New expert guidelines: Start PHV evaluations with echocardiography, but other imaging modalities can provide value

New guidelines from the American Society of Echocardiography, made in collaboration with the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, represent an update of the group's original recommendations from 2009.

January 9, 2024
Navitor TAVR valve in the Abbott booth at TCT 2023. Photo by Dave Fornell

Self-expanding TAVR system with new sealing cuff linked to high success rate, favorable outcomes

The valve, designed with a new-look sealing cuff for limiting paravalvular regurgitation, gained FDA approval in January 2023. 

January 8, 2024
Stroke - head with text

TAVR patients face a higher risk of stroke for up to 2 years

A majority of strokes after TAVR occur in the first 48 hours, but patients remain at a significantly higher risk for much longer. 

January 4, 2024
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Endocarditis after SAVR more likely with bovine valves

Researchers examined data from more than 21,000 patients treated from 1997 to 2018, publishing their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

January 3, 2024
Damaged Organ

Acute kidney injury after TAVR linked to certain risks, but most patients have a full recovery

“These findings are highly pertinent in a clinical setting," researchers explained. 

January 2, 2024

Around the web

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