Transcatheter valvular interventions in 2017: some things old, some things new!

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Interventional Cardiology
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Transcatheter valvular interventions are revolutionizing cardiac care.
• Understanding recent advancements is crucial for clinical practice and research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review studies on transcatheter valvular interventions published in 2017.
• To assess their impact on clinical practice and future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Review of key studies published in 2017 on transcatheter valvular interventions.
• Analysis of findings related to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and mitral valve repair.

Main Results:

• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a viable option for intermediate-risk aortic stenosis patients.
• Valve leaflet thrombosis is linked to adverse outcomes; further research is needed.
• Transcatheter mitral valve repair shows encouraging results, with new systems in trials.
• TAVR outcomes for bicuspid aortic valve stenosis are improving.
• Cerebral embolic protection devices show potential, but optimal patient selection requires definition.

Conclusions:

• Significant progress in transcatheter valvular interventions occurred in 2017.
• These advancements establish a strong basis for future research and clinical practice evolution.