Optimization and simplification of transcatheter aortic valve implantation therapy

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is now a widely adopted therapy for the treatment of elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis. Improved pre-procedural screening, increased operators’ experience and technology advancement have made this technique highly reliable and standardized.

Areas covered: The purpose of this review article is to provide an overview of the strategies that can be adopted to optimize the TAVI procedure (pre-interventional work-up and procedural simplification and early discharge).

Expert commentary: Optimization of TAVI therapy is already a reality and has shown to be safe in most patients, but its penetration has to face with real-world practice. The adoption of a minimalistic and optimized approach requires integration of multidisciplinary competences and an extended, dynamic conception of heart team, which also includes patients’ families, referring cardiologist and general practitioners.

KEYWORDS:

• TAVI
• optimization
• minimalistic approach
• early discharge
• cost-effectiveness

Declaration of interest

M Barbanti is a consultant for Edwards Lifesciences and C Tamburino receives speaker honoraria from Medtronic Inc., St Jude Medical and Symetis. 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. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.