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.

Hydra TAVR valve gains key approval as global reach continues to grow
The self-expanding device is now available in more than 20 countries and received CE mark approval back in 2020. However, it has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States.
SAVR outperforms TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valves
BAV patients are often excluded from TAVR trials, creating uncertainty about the best way to treat that population when aortic valve replacement is required. To learn more, researchers tracked CMS data from 2018 to 2022, presenting their findings in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Treating AFib patients with TAVR still linked to elevated risks
While the technology and techniques associated with TAVR have advanced over the years, treating patients who present with baseline atrial fibrillation is still associated with certain risks.
Years of progress have made TAVR more effective when treating concomitant mitral stenosis
Newer balloon-expandable TAVR valves are associated with much better outcomes for patients presenting with both severe AS and severe MS than older models.
TAVR/PCI bests SAVR/CABG when treating severe AS and complex CAD
Percutaneous treatment was linked to improved survival and fewer adverse events than surgery when patients presented with both symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and complex coronary artery disease.

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

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

Balloon-expandable TAVR valves linked to superior 1-year outcomes

Asian patients are rarely represented in large TAVR trials, the authors wrote, so they focused on nearly 1,200 patients from South Korea to provide a fresh perspective.

December 19, 2023

AFib before and after TAVR linked to significant risks

The new study included data on patients who presented for TAVR with preexisting AFib as well as those who developed new-onset AFib after the procedure.

December 13, 2023

Good to great: 5 ways to help sonographers deliver better echocardiograms and improve the diagnosis of severe AS

TAVR

Hydra TAVR valve gains key approval as global reach continues to grow

SAVR outperforms TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valves

Treating AFib patients with TAVR still linked to elevated risks

Years of progress have made TAVR more effective when treating concomitant mitral stenosis

TAVR/PCI bests SAVR/CABG when treating severe AS and complex CAD