Transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Anneke Damberg, Carina Benstoem, Ruediger Autschbach, Andreas Goetzenich

Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, University Clinic RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany

Abstract: The standard treatment for symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis is surgical aortic valve replacement. Over the last decade, transcatheter aortic valve replacement has emerged as an option for patients judged inoperable. It might also constitute an alternative for high-risk patients, even though which patients might benefit from this approach is still being discussed and remains controversial. Transcatheter heart valve replacement is a rapidly spreading technology. However, a number of problems still need to be addressed, such as paravalvular regurgitation, stroke rate, and postoperative conduction disturbances. Further, the durability of transcatheter heart valves remains unclear. Randomized clinical trials and long-term follow-up will help define the role of transcatheter heart valve replacement in aortic stenosis therapy.

Keywords: TAVI, aortic valve replacement, transcatheter surgery