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.

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Tracking patient outcomes after valve-in-valve TAVR, redo SAVR

It is becoming more and more important, researchers noted, to examine the lifetime management of patients who undergo aortic valve replacement.

Balloon expansion deployment of an Edwards Lifesciences Sapien 3 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) device.

TAVR vs. surgery: Exploring 5-year outcomes among intermediate-risk patients

A group of renowned TAVR specialists examined data from 783 pairs of intermediate-risk patients, sharing their findings in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

No contrast transcatheter aortic valve replacement

New ‘zero-contrast’ TAVR technique shows promise in pilot study

Researchers think this new technique could be beneficial for patients presenting with both severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and chronic kidney disease. 

The Edwards Lifesciences Sapien transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) device in a heart model used to show patients how the device works.

Balloon-expandable valves deliver better short-term TAVR outcomes than self-expandable valves

A new meta-analysis, published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, focused on data from nearly 3,000 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis.

elderly patient using virtual reality TAVR transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Virtual reality during TAVR: Distracting patients linked to key benefits

When patients wear VR glasses during transcatheter aortic valve replacement, they say it helps time go by more quickly and reduces anxiety.

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How to encourage shared decision-making when treating aortic stenosis

Diagnosing, treating and managing aortic stenosis is often a challenging task, especially when the patient has a long life expectancy. Shared decision-making can make a significant impact, helping ensure the patient's values and preferences are taken into consideration. 

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. These structural heart procedures require a team approach.

Heart damage after TAVR: Follow-up imaging helps cardiologists anticipate problems

While cardiac damage reverses in many patients following treatment, it can actually continue to get worse in others. 

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Rethinking SAVR in the TAVR era: New Cleveland Clinic study explores data from nearly 3,500 patients

SAVR may be even safer for low-risk patients than previously believed, according to new research published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. What does this tell us about patient care going forward?