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.

TAVR still a safe option for patients with nickel allergies
More research is still needed, as this study only included data from a small number of patients, but TAVR was not linked to any severe adverse events or allergic reactions.
Advances in electrosurgical techniques have helped thousands of transcatheter valve patients
Toby Rogers, MD, associate professor of medicine at Georgetown University and an interventional cardiologist at MedStar, explains how electrosurgical procedures for transcaval access have helped large numbers of patients receive transcatheter heart valves who otherwise would have been disqualified due to anatomical issues.
No sedation required: Local anesthesia enough for most TAVR patients
New data out of ESC Congress 2025 suggest care teams can take a more minimalist approach during a majority of TAVR cases and only treat patients with local anesthesia. In some cases, however, sedation will still be necessary.
Abbott receives expanded approval for Navitor TAVR system
Abbott's TAVR valve now has CE mark approval for treating low-, intermediate- and high-risk patients who present with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The news comes as new data on the valve's safety and effectiveness were just published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
Medtronic receives updated FDA approval for redo TAVR
The company also launched a new clinical trial designed to follow redo TAVR patients who present with symptomatic bioprosthetic valve failure for up to five years.

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Hemodynamic deterioration 1 year after TAVR found in 6% of patients

Hemodynamic valve deterioration after one year was more common in patients with a small aortic annulus. In fact, receiving a larger valve was linked to a “protective” quality that appeared to help keep the risk of such complications to a minimum.

FTC challenges ‘anticompetitive’ TAVR acquisition

The FTC is working to stop Edwards Lifesciences from completing its acquisition of JenaValve. Edwards, however, is not backing down.

Exploring the value of same-day permanent pacemaker implantation after TAVR

Temporary pacemakers are typically used for at least 24 hours before care teams consider implanting a permanent device. New research out of Canada suggests it may make sense in certain scenarios to go straight to the permanent pacemaker.

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Colchicine reduces risk of some TAVR complications

Giving colchicine to patients prior to TAVR may reduce the risk of certain conduction disturbances, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. It does not, however, improve survival.

Edwards Lifesciences loses TAVR leader to robotics firm, announces replacement

The change comes at a momentous time for the company's TAVR portfolio, which made history in May by receiving the very first FDA approval for treating asymptomatic severe AS.

Toby Rogers, MD, Medstar, discusses a new dedicated device for BASILICA used in TAVR.

New device could make it easier than ever for cardiologists to perform BASILICA before TAVR

Toby Rogers, MD, PhD, noted that BASILICA is a fairly complex procedure. Using this advanced technology, however, could make it easier to perform and improve patient access.

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Stroke risk after TAVR still much higher for female patients

Women are associated with a significantly higher rate of in-hospital disabling strokes than men, according to a new study of nearly 380,000 TAVR patients. What can cardiologists do to help limit these complications?

First patient treated with BASILICA before valve-in-valve TAVR in a mechanically-expanded valve

A heart team chose to perform BASILICA before valve-in-valve TAVR in a failed Lotus device to help minimize the risk of complications. These scenarios will likely grow more and more common as patients outlive their TAVR valves.

TAVR

TAVR still a safe option for patients with nickel allergies

Advances in electrosurgical techniques have helped thousands of transcatheter valve patients

No sedation required: Local anesthesia enough for most TAVR patients

Abbott receives expanded approval for Navitor TAVR system

Medtronic receives updated FDA approval for redo TAVR