Current trends in aortic valve replacement: development of the rapid deployment EDWARDS INTUITY valve system

Abstract

Although conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) surgery remains the gold standard for patients with aortic stenosis, transcutaneous aortic valve replacement is becoming increasingly common in high-risk patients. The techniques of minimal invasive surgery (MIS) have been well known for many years, but MIS is applied in a disappointingly low percentage of patients undergoing AVR surgery. The EDWARDS INTUITY rapid deployment aortic valve system is designed to facilitate the performance of MIS AVR surgery. In addition, the reduced implantation times may be beneficial in higher risk patients or those requiring concomitant procedures. The system combines established pericardial valve technology with modern stent expertise obtained from the transcutaneous aortic valve replacement experience. Preliminary results from a multicenter trial have shown low rates of morbidity and mortality, and excellent hemodynamic performance. The EDWARDS INTUITY promises to be an exciting device that may further change the landscape of aortic valve intervention.

Keywords::

• aortic valve replacement
• cardiac surgery
• minimal invasive
• sutureless valves

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Amy Chung of Scientific Communications at Edwards Lifesciences for her editorial assistance with this review article preparation.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

MA Borger and P Dohmen receive speaking honoraria from Edwards Lifesciences. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.