Practical update on imaging and transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Interventional Cardiology

Background:

• Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has rapidly advanced, becoming a primary treatment for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis in high-risk or non-surgical patients.
• The procedure requires a multidisciplinary team, with cardiac imaging playing a pivotal role throughout the patient journey.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the latest contributions of common imaging techniques in each phase of the transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedure.
• To highlight the importance of imaging in patient selection, device choice, procedural guidance, and complication detection.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on cardiac imaging modalities used in TAVI.
• Focus on the application of imaging techniques from pre-assessment to long-term patient monitoring.

Main Results:

• Cardiac imaging is essential for determining patient suitability, optimal access site, and appropriate device selection for TAVI.
• Imaging guidance during the procedure ensures correct stent-valve placement, and post-procedural imaging aids in early complication detection.

Conclusions:

• Accurate patient and device selection, precise stent-valve placement, and timely complication identification via cardiac imaging are critical for successful TAVI outcomes.
• Cardiologists select the best TAVI approach based on patient factors and center expertise, supported by advanced imaging.