Transcatheter aortic valve implantation: surgical perspectives

Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is a routine procedure for decades to treat patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis. The introduction of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) by Professor Alain Cribier has paved the way for minimally invasive therapeutic options for elderly and high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. Transfemoral and transapical aortic valve implantations have become routine procedures in many centres around Europe. TAVI is usually being performed together by experienced cardiologists and cardiac surgeons who build the interdisciplinary 'Heart Team'. In the future, improved devices together with advanced fusion imaging will lead to a further improvement in clinical outcomes for the sake of our patients.