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Updated: May 11, 2026

Upper-extremity Approach for Secondary Access in Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
06:04

Upper-extremity Approach for Secondary Access in Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Published on: August 8, 2025

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement: an update

Sharif A Halim1, Todd L Kiefer, G Chad Hughes

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. sharif.halim@duke.edu

Current Cardiology Reports
|May 10, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement offers a significant survival benefit for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are ineligible for surgery. This minimally invasive approach is a crucial advancement in treating this common heart condition.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Geriatric Medicine

Background:

  • Aortic stenosis is a prevalent valvular heart disease, particularly in older adults, leading to significant morbidity and mortality.
  • Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis carries a poor prognosis, with high mortality rates if left untreated.
  • Many elderly patients with aortic stenosis are poor surgical candidates, limiting treatment options.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current state of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) technology.
  • To discuss patient selection, procedural considerations, and potential complications associated with TAVR.
  • To explore the future directions of transcatheter heart valves in managing aortic stenosis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and clinical trial data on transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
  • Analysis of outcomes from studies comparing TAVR with medical therapy and surgical options.
  • Discussion of procedural techniques, imaging, and patient management strategies.

Main Results:

  • Transcatheter aortic valve replacement has demonstrated a significant mortality benefit in high-risk patients compared to medical management.
  • The Sapien valve (PARTNER cohort B) showed a 20% absolute mortality reduction at one year in this patient group.
  • TAVR is an established alternative for patients with prohibitive surgical risk.

Conclusions:

  • Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a safe and effective treatment for severe aortic stenosis in patients unsuitable for open-heart surgery.
  • Careful patient selection and procedural planning are essential for optimal TAVR outcomes.
  • Continued advancements in TAVR technology promise expanded applications in valvular heart disease management.

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