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Published on: March 26, 2018
The aortic valve: structure, complications and implications for transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Mm Rozeik1, Dj Wheatley2, T Gourlay2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK monica.rozeik@strath.ac.uk.
Insights
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) offers a vital treatment for aortic stenosis. Improving TAVR technology can overcome complications and enhance prosthesis durability for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- The aortic valve functions under significant hemodynamic stress, with over 100,000 daily cycles.
- Aortic stenosis, a severe complication, has a poor prognosis without intervention, with surgical valve replacement as the current standard.
- Understanding native aortic valve anatomy and function is crucial for developing effective prosthetic replacements.
Approach:
- This review examines the anatomy, structure, and pathology of the aortic valve.
- It discusses the implications of these factors for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) device design.
- The review highlights current TAVR complications and potential solutions.
Key Points:
- Aortic valve disease necessitates advanced prosthetic solutions.
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a key therapeutic approach.
- Reducing delivery profile and enhancing imaging are critical for TAVR success.
Conclusions:
- Further advancements in TAVR technology are needed to address complications like bleeding, conduction disturbances, and patient-prosthesis mismatch.
- Optimizing TAVR aims for a fully functional and durable aortic valve prosthesis.
- Improved imaging and device design are essential for overcoming current TAVR limitations.
Abstract:
The aortic valve operates in a complex haemodynamic environment, opening and closing over 100,000 times a day. When complications arise, such as aortic stenosis, prognosis can be very poor, leading to death within the first few years. Surgical valve replacement is currently the standard treatment for aortic stenosis. A thorough understanding of the anatomy and function of the native valve is imperative when developing a prosthetic replacement that can withstand the complex demands of the heart. This review focuses on the anatomy, structure and disease of the aortic valve and the implications for a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Current complications with TAVR, such as major vascular bleeding, conduction disturbances and patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM), can be overcome by reducing the delivery profile and through the use of more accurate imaging technologies to work towards a fully functional and durable prosthesis.
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