Valve implantations on the move

Excerpt

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has expanded rapidly since the first procedure in 2002. The first randomised control trial showed non inferiority of TAVI compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) in high-risk patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) and superiority as compared with conservative management, including balloon valvuloplasty [1]. Since 2012, TAVI has been incorporated into the international guidelines for treatment of severe AS for symptomatic, high-risk patients. This technology has evolved towards the routine therapy for high-risk patients with severe AS over the past decade. Since its introduction, more than 100,000 transcatheter aortic valve implantations have been performed worldwide. …