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 specialists come together to explore new data, patient selection and much more
Care teams have a lot to consider when choosing the right treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Two cardiologists and a veteran cardiothoracic surgeon are taking part in a new webinar focused on that very topic.
Heart surgeons perform world’s first robotic TAVR explant and aortic valve replacement
The patient, 67, presented with a failing TAVR valve and a leaky mitral valve. She had undergone TAVR four years prior, but premature structural valve degeneration made a full replacement necessary. Surgeons ultimately removed the TAVR valve in addition to replacing her aortic and mitral valves—all with the help of advanced robotics.
Real-world data favor SAVR over TAVR when younger patients need aortic valve replacement
Researchers in Italy tracked data from more than 7,000 patients who underwent AVR between the ages of 65 and 80. TAVR was associated with a significantly higher long-term risk of mortality.
Heart patients benefit when cardiologists follow a standardized TAVR protocol
Using a standardized approach, including the cusp overlap technique, is associated with improved patient outcomes when implanting Medtronic's self-expanding TAVR valves. Researchers tracked data from more than 600 patients treated all over the world, presenting their findings in JSCAI.
How anticoagulants may impact a patient’s risk of gastrointestinal bleeding after TAVR
Researchers tracked the rates of major gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with AFib randomized to receive edoxaban or a vitamin K antagonist after a successful TAVR procedure.

Comprehensive heart teams are rewriting the rules of patient care

Multidisciplinary heart teams are growing more and more popular among hospitals and health systems all over the world. What started as a way to select TAVR patients has become something much more important.

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare

TAVR and PAD: What cardiologists need to know

TAVR patients presenting with peripheral artery disease face significantly higher in-hospital risks, according to a new study published in Current Problems in Cardiology.

Samir Kapadia, MD, chairman of the Robert and Suzanne Tomsich Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic, explains why he believes the results of the late-breaking PROTECTED TAVR testing the use of a TAVR cerebral protection device were positive, although it did not meet its primary endpoint.

VIDEO: Exploring the use of cerebral protection devices during TAVR

Samir Kapadia, MD, chair of the department of cardiovascular medicine at Cleveland Clinic, shared his perspective on the use of cerebral protection devices during TAVR procedures.

Why are post-TAVR stroke rates higher at comprehensive stroke centers?

One of the more likely reasons is simple: specialty centers have better tools for identifying signs of stroke.

A team in China treated 10 patients—split evenly between men and women—with the SinoCrown TAVR valve developed by Lepu Medical Technology Company. The average patient age was 77.5 years old.

New self-expanding TAVR valve shows promise

It is still early for this new-look TAVR valve, but initial findings out of China include a procedural success rate of 100% and no deaths, disabling strokes or myocardial infarctions after 30 days. Read a full analysis from the team using the device.

Abbott has gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its Navitor transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system, the company’s new self-expanding valve for high-risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis.

Abbott receives FDA approval for new self-expanding TAVR system

The device, which gained CE mark approval in Europe in May 2021, features a new-look fabric cuff designed to keep the risk of paravalvular leak (PVL) at a minimum.

Samir Kapadia, MD, Cleveland Clinic TAVR transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Q&A: Discussing TAVR trends with cardiologist Samir Kapadia of Cleveland Clinic

What's next for TAVR? What trends should clinicians be focused on as time goes on? Kapadia shared his perspective in a new interview.

Why cardiologists should pay close attention to rehospitalizations after TAVR or SAVR

A new analysis in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions examined rehospitalization rates after AVR, noting that they are consistently associated with worse outcomes and a higher risk of patient mortality.

TAVR

TAVR specialists come together to explore new data, patient selection and much more

Heart surgeons perform world’s first robotic TAVR explant and aortic valve replacement

Real-world data favor SAVR over TAVR when younger patients need aortic valve replacement

Heart patients benefit when cardiologists follow a standardized TAVR protocol

How anticoagulants may impact a patient’s risk of gastrointestinal bleeding after TAVR