Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026

Upper-extremity Approach for Secondary Access in Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Published on: August 8, 2025
Colombian experience with transcatheter aortic valve implantation of medtronic CoreValve
Antonio E Dager1, Rutger-Jan Nuis, Bernardo Caicedo
1Department of Cardiology, Angiografia de Occidente, Cali, Colombia.
Insights
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is safe and feasible for high-risk aortic stenosis patients. While serious adverse events occurred in 30%, TAVI demonstrated sustained long-term results.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- A growing number of patients with aortic stenosis are unsuitable for surgical aortic valve replacement.
- This led to the initiation of the Cali Colombian Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) program.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety of TAVI using the Medtronic CoreValve System in patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at excessive surgical risk.
- To report the early and 1-year results of the first consecutive patients treated in the Cali Colombian TAVI program.
Main Methods:
- Prospective data collection from 53 consecutive patients (mean age 79 ± 6 years) undergoing TAVI with the Medtronic CoreValve System from March 2008 to January 2011.
- Endpoints conformed to Valve Academic Research Consortium recommendations, including 30-day mortality, safety endpoints, and technical device success.
- Hemodynamic parameters and regurgitation were assessed post-procedure.
Main Results:
- Predicted mortality by logistic EuroSCORE was 25% and by STS score was 6%.
- The 30-day mortality rate was 9%. The combined 30-day safety endpoint was met in 30% of patients, including major vascular sequelae (23%) and life-threatening bleeding (12%).
- Technical device success was 77%. Significant improvements were observed in mean transvalvular gradients (74 to 17 mmHg) and mitral regurgitation (32% to 13%, P=0.002). The 1-year survival rate was 81%.
Conclusions:
- TAVI with the CoreValve prosthesis is a safe and feasible option for treating aortic stenosis in patients deemed high-risk for surgical intervention.
- The procedure demonstrated sustained long-term efficacy, although a significant proportion of patients experienced serious adverse events.
- Careful patient selection and procedural management are crucial for optimizing TAVI outcomes.
Abstract:
At our institutions, increasing numbers of aortic stenosis patients were not candidates for surgical aortic valve replacement. Accordingly, we initiated the Cali Colombian Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) program. From March 2008 through January 2011, 53 consecutive patients (mean age, 79 ± 6 yr; men, 58%) underwent TAVI with the Medtronic CoreValve System, and data were prospectively collected. Our study's endpoints conformed with Valve Academic Research Consortium recommendations. We report our clinical results.Predicted mortality rates were 25% (interquartile range, 17%-34%) according to logistic EuroSCORE and 6% (interquartile range, 3%-8%) according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons score. The 30-day mortality rate was 9% (3 intraprocedural deaths, 5 total). The combined 30-day safety endpoint was 30% (major vascular sequelae, 23%; life-threatening bleeding, 12%; myocardial infarction, 4%; major stroke, 4%; and acute kidney injury [stage 3], 2%). Eight patients (15%) required post-implantation balloon dilation and 2 (4%) required valve-in-valve implantation, for a technical device success rate of 77%. Mean peak transvalvular gradient decreased from 74 ± 29 to 17 ± 8 mmHg and mean transvalvular gradient from 40 ± 17 to 8 ± 4 mmHg (both P=0.001). Moderate or severe aortic regurgitation decreased from 32% to 18% (P=0.12) and mitral regurgitation from 32% to 13% (P=0.002). The 1-year survival rate was 81%.We found that TAVI with the CoreValve prosthesis was safe and feasible, with sustained long-term results, for treating aortic stenosis in patients at excessive surgical risk; nonetheless, serious adverse events occurred in 30% of the patients.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization
Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview
Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management