HEART VALVE TAVR TECHNOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
The
development of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) can certainly be
considered one of the most fascinating examples of successful translational
research in medicine. Thanks to an outstanding partnership between
multidisciplinary clinicians and engineers, we could move from concept to
bench, bench to bedside, bedside to clinical feasibility trials, then on to
larger clinical registries and evidence based trials, leading ultimately to a
breakthrough technology with durable impact on the pattern of medical practice.
WHAT
IS TAVR?

The
development of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) can certainly be
considered one of the most fascinating examples of successful translational
research in medicine. Thanks to an outstanding partnership between
multidisciplinary clinicians and engineers, we could move from concept to
bench, bench to bedside, bedside to clinical feasibility trials, then on to
larger clinical registries and evidence based trials, leading ultimately to a
breakthrough technology with durable impact on the pattern of medical practice.
HISTORICAL THRILLING STORY
ABOUT TAVR
Since the
first-in-human transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) performed by
Cribier in 2002, this innovative procedure has had widespread recognition
as the treatment of choice for severe aortic stenosis in inoperable
patients and as a reasonable alternative to conventional surgical aortic
valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with intermediate and
high surgical risk.
What
is involved in a TAVR procedure?
Usually valve replacement requires an open heart procedure with
a “sternotomy.”, in which the chest is surgically separated (open) for the
procedure. The TAVR or TAVI procedures can be done through very small
openings that leave all the chest bones in place.
A TAVR procedure is not without risks, but it provides
beneficial treatment options to people who may not have been candidates for
them a few years ago while also providing the added bonus of a faster recovery
in most cases. A patient's experience with a TAVR procedure may be comparable
to a balloon treatment or even an angiogram in terms of down time and
recovery, and will likely require a shorter hospital stay (average 3-5 days).
Who
is a good candidate for this type of valve surgery?
At this time the procedure is reserved for those people for whom
an open heart procedure poses intermediate risk. For that reason, most
people who have this procedure are in their 70s or 80s and often have other
medical conditions that make them a better candidate for this type of surgery.
TAVR can be an effective option to improve quality of
life in patients who otherwise have limited choices for repair of their
aortic valve.
ADVANTAGE
OF TAVR
The biggest benefit
of TAVR is a reduced hospital stay
Transcatheter aortic
valve replacement (TAVR) offers many benefits to patients who cannot undergo an
invasive, open heart surgery.
No comments:
Post a Comment