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.

Cardiac surgeons gaining procedural volume despite TAVR making up 84% of cases

A decade ago, when TAVR was first cleared by the FDA, surgeons had concern about losing business. But unexpectedly, TAVR has helped also gain heart surgery cases.

August 5, 2022

Mitral annular calcium (MAC) does not appear to have a negative effect on long-term transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) outcomes, according to new research published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

TAVR safe and effective for patients presenting with mitral annular calcium

Researchers from Cleveland Clinic reviewed data from more than 400 patients, presenting their findings in the American Journal of Cardiology.

July 28, 2022

Performing valve-in-valve transcatheter mitral valve replacement (ViV TMVR) with conscious sedation (CS) or monitored anesthesia care (MAC) instead of general anesthesia (GA) is safe and effective, according to new research published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Using a TAVR-like minimalist approach for valve-in-valve TMVR is safe and effective, Cleveland Clinic study confirms

During valve-in-valve TMVR, patients are treated with conscious sedation or monitored anesthesia care instead of general anesthesia. This new analysis confirms that the change does not impact patient outcomes, but it was linked to a shorter length of stay.

July 21, 2022

Subclinical leaflet thrombosis after TAVR CT JAMA Cardiology OAC

Subclinical leaflet thrombosis after TAVR: What we know, and still need to learn, about a challenging complication

Treating subclinical leaflet thrombosis after TAVR has been an ongoing challenge for structural heart clinicians, but recent research has gone a long way toward improving our understanding of this important topic.

July 20, 2022

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

TAVR outcomes take a hit when patients present with heart failure or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

In-hospital mortality was especially high among TAVR patients presenting with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, according to a new analysis.

July 18, 2022

Adam Greenbaum, MD, transcatheter electrosurgery to prevent left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction using a new procedure called Septal Scoring Along the Midline Endocardium (SESAME). The transcatheter procedure mimicking surgical myotomy.

VIDEO: Transcatheter myectomy to prevent LVOT obstruction in mitral valve replacement

Adam Greenbaum, MD, explains how transcatheter electrosurgery can be used to prevent left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction using a new procedure called Septal Scoring Along the Midline Endocardium (SESAME).

July 11, 2022