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.

How the continued rise of TAVR has impacted SAVR outcomes

Did SAVR outcomes suffer due to the rapid rise of TAVR? A team of researchers aimed to find out with a brand new analysis.

April 12, 2022

TAVR vs. surgery, FFR-guided PCI and DCB safety: Day 3 at ACC.22

Read our in-person coverage of the final day of ACC.22.

April 4, 2022

Same-day discharge after TAVR is feasible and safe, new Cleveland Clinic study confirms

Cleveland Clinic turned to same-day discharge after TAVR during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding considerable success.

March 21, 2022

Q&A U.S. and European Valvular Heart Disease Guidelines: Lessons from Across the Pond

Sponsored by Medtronic

“Good harmony” is the way John P. Erwin III, MD, describes the synergy of the 2021 ESC/EACTS Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease (VHD) released in August along with the ACC/AHA guidelines that rolled in December 2020.

When infective endocarditis after TAVR is most likely to be fatal

Researchers reviewed data from more than 900 patients, sharing their research in the American Journal of Cardiology.

March 3, 2022

How modified bioprosthetic heart valves could limit calcification, reduce need for TAVR

Bioprosthetic heart valves often express foreign sugars that trigger a response from the body's immune system. This immune response appears to be associated with calcification.

March 1, 2022