Current and advanced prostheses for cardiac valvular replacement and reconstruction surgery

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Degenerative and functional cardiac valve diseases are prevalent worldwide, necessitating effective treatment options.
• Current therapeutic strategies primarily involve surgical or transcatheter interventions for valve repair or replacement.
• Significant advancements in materials science and device design have been made to address limitations of existing cardiac valve prostheses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a comprehensive overview of contemporary cardiac valvular devices utilized globally for both replacement and reconstruction.
• To highlight innovative technologies and next-generation devices with the potential to significantly improve clinical outcomes.
• To serve as a resource for clinicians, researchers, and engineers involved in cardiac valve therapy.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings.
• Analysis of data from clinical trials and real-world evidence on cardiac valve device performance.
• Expert consultation and synthesis of information on emerging technologies and future trends.

Main Results:

• Established prosthetic heart valves (mechanical and bioprosthetic) remain the standard of care, with ongoing refinements in durability and hemocompatibility.
• Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and other transcatheter valve interventions have demonstrated favorable outcomes, expanding treatment options for high-risk patients.
• Emerging technologies include novel biomaterials, advanced hemodynamic designs, and integrated sensing capabilities for improved device monitoring and function.

Conclusions:

• Modern cardiac valvular devices offer diverse and effective solutions for valvular heart disease, with significant improvements in patient survival and quality of life.
• Continued innovation in device technology, including minimally invasive approaches and smart prostheses, promises further enhancements in clinical performance and patient care.
• A multidisciplinary approach integrating clinical expertise, engineering innovation, and rigorous evaluation is crucial for advancing cardiac valve therapy.