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Published on: June 3, 2018
Vascular management during transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Takahiro Tokuda1, Masanori Yamamoto2,3,4,
1Department of Cardiology, Nagoya Heart Center, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. tkhrtkd@yahoo.co.jp.
Insights
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is standard therapy for aortic stenosis. This review covers TAVR vascular complications, focusing on prognosis, prevention, and management to reduce patient morbidity and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a standard therapy for severe aortic valve stenosis, offering an alternative to open-heart surgery.
- Proper vascular access management is crucial for TAVR procedures.
- Vascular complications are a significant concern in TAVR due to large sheath use, irrespective of the access route.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review vascular complications associated with TAVR procedures.
- To summarize the prognosis, prevention strategies, and management of TAVR-related vascular complications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of TAVR procedures and associated vascular complications.
- Analysis of different vascular access routes including transfemoral, transaxillary/subclavian, transcarotid, transapical, and transcaval approaches.
- Synthesis of data on complication rates, outcomes, and management strategies.
Main Results:
- The transfemoral approach is used in over 90% of TAVR cases.
- Alternative access routes are necessary for patients unsuitable for the transfemoral approach.
- Vascular complications remain a key challenge impacting TAVR outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of vascular complications is essential to improve TAVR procedure safety.
- Understanding complication risks, prevention, and management strategies can decrease morbidity and mortality.
- Further research and standardized protocols are needed for optimal vascular access management in TAVR.
Abstract:
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), as an alternative to open heart surgery, has been established as the standard therapy for patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. Vascular access management, the first step in a TAVR procedure, should be managed properly. Moreover, the transfemoral and alternatives such as the transaxillary/subclavian, transcarotid, transapical, and transcaval approaches are considered access routes during TAVR. More than 90% of cases can be treated via the transfemoral approach in the current TAVR era, whereas other approaches should be considered in patients in whom the transfemoral approach is not suitable. Vascular complications regardless of access route differences are a specific issue of TAVR caused by the use of large sheaths. With the increased number of TAVR cases, we must manage vascular complications and decrease the morbidity and mortality rates associated with TAVR procedures. Thus, this study aimed to review the vascular complications during TAVR and summarize their prognosis, prevention, and adequate management.
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