Percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve implantation: present and future perspective

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Interventional Cardiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI) is a primary treatment for severe aortic stenosis, especially for inoperable or high-risk patients.
• Over 50,000 TAVI procedures have been performed globally, with continuous advancements in prosthetic valve technology.
• Two main TAVI prosthesis types exist: self-expandable (e.g., CoreValve) and non-self-expandable (e.g., Edwards valve).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the key features of the two leading TAVI systems: third-generation CoreValve and Edwards SAPIEN XT.
• To present data on emerging TAVI valves and discuss future directions in the field.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of current TAVI technologies and their clinical implications.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing clinical studies and device literature.
• Comparative analysis of self-expandable and non-self-expandable TAVI systems.
• Discussion of technological advancements and future trends in TAVI.

Main Results:

• Self-expandable devices (CoreValve) utilize nitinol structures that deploy passively upon release.
• Non-self-expandable prostheses (Edwards valve) require balloon expansion for final positioning.
• Ongoing clinical studies aim to refine TAVI systems and broaden patient eligibility.

Conclusions:

• TAVI is a rapidly evolving field with significant improvements in device technology.
• Both self-expandable and non-self-expandable valves offer viable treatment options for severe aortic stenosis.
• Future research will likely expand the application and efficacy of TAVI.