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.

TAVR-related stroke, the authors wrote, is a "critically important and potentially preventable source of patient morbidity."

February 9, 2022

Seeking Out Severe Aortic Stenosis: The Low Down on Low Flow-Low Gradient

Sponsored by Medtronic

It’s not uncommon for severe aortic stenosis to go unrecognized, and thus untreated. When the data points to the existence of low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis, a diagnosis can be even more challenging.

Time of day does not affect TAVR or SAVR outcomes

One previous study had suggested outcomes may improve in the afternoon, but researchers did not find that to be the case.

February 1, 2022

TAVR is safe and effective among asymptomatic patients, new research confirms

TAVR was associated with a consistently low risk of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke.

January 31, 2022

Sapien 3 Ultra THV outperforms its predecessor, reducing PVL after TAVR procedures

The risk of all-cause mortality, stroke, major bleeding events or permanent pacemaker implantation was similar between the two valves.

January 27, 2022

Adjusting implantation technique during TAVR reduces risk of permanent pacemakers

Researchers emphasized that permanent pacemakers are “one of the most feared complications" associated with TAVR.

January 21, 2022

Hydra THV associated with promising TAVR outcomes after 1 year

Researchers reported "significant improvements" in patients after one year.

January 13, 2022

Self-expanding TAVR system gains approval for high-risk patients in China

The National Medical Products Administration reviewed data from more than 32,000 patients to make its decision.

January 10, 2022

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