When a cardiac valve (the aortic and the mitral ones above all) is very badly deteriorated, replacing them with a prosthetic valve can be necessary. Among them, there are two perfectly differentiated types, with very specific characteristics: mechanical valves (also known as metal valves) and biological valves or bioprosthesis. Which of them are better: mechanical […]
Effect on mortality of systemic thromboinflammatory response after transcatheter aortic valve implantation
After transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) there is consistently identified decrease in platelets accompanied by a leucocyte (white blood cell, WBC) increase. We aimed to analyze the prognostic value of early platelet and WBC count changes (thromboinflammatory response) after successful TAVI. Among 432 consecutive patients [median 83.0 years of age, 63.4% women], platelets and WBCs […]
How the aortic valve pathology is diagnosed?
The first step on diagnosing aortic stenosis (see “What is aortic stenosis?”) uses to be its suspect after presenting any of the symptoms (“What are the symptoms for aortic stenosis?”). In other occasions, a heart murmur during the auscultation is detected, and it consists on an abnormal sound due to the turbulence generating the narrowing […]
TAVI and the future of aortic valve replacement
Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular pathology and has traditionally been managed using surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). A large proportion of affected patient demographics, however, are unfit to undergo major surgery given underlying comorbidities. Since its introduction in 2002, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has gained popularity and transformed the care […]
TAVI: risks
Risks and complications of transcatheter aortic implantations Every surgical or invasive technique, as TAVI is, entails a series of potential risks or complications. Why is this technique used if there are risks? Despite carrying certain risks, choosing this technique in particular is because the risk associated to it is lower than other techniques and the […]
Preoperative anemia and TAVI
Preoperative anemia and postoperative mortality in patients with aortic stenosis treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI): a systematic review and meta-analysis. Patients with severe aortic stenosis who have comorbidities that prevent general anesthesia and open cardiothoracic surgery are candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, TAVI can result in patient mortality following the […]
Access routes for TAVI implantation
Routes for TAVI implantation As we explained on “What does TAVI mean?”, it is a technique used to implant (functionally replacing) the aortic valve, in a less invasive way than conventional surgery. TAVI: access routes In such article it is mentioned that TAVI means “transcatheter aortic valve implantation”, which means that the prosthetic valve is […]
33rd EACTS Annual Meeting: EXCEL and PARTNER 2
33rd EACTS Annual Meeting Stream – Da Vinci session and Trial Updates and Evidence Review youtube.com/watch?v=CviXfJdeqzU [Starts at 02:00 h] MORE INFORMATION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Concomitant transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation and transapical mitral valve repair with neochord implantation
One-third of the patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis (sAS) present with hemodynamic relevant mitral valve insufficiency (rMI). In patients who undergo conventional surgery, the rMI never would be left untreated; however, in cases of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), the impact of rMI is often overlooked and left untreated. TA-TAVI and concomitant NeoChord […]
TAVI in low risk patients: PARTNER 3
Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement with a Balloon-Expandable Valve in Low-Risk Patients Among patients with aortic stenosis who are at intermediate or high risk for death with surgery, major outcomes are similar with transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic-valve replacement. There is insufficient evidence regarding the comparison of the two procedures in patients who are at […]
TAVI in patients with pre-existing mechanical mitral valve prostheses
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with pre-existing mechanical mitral valve prostheses Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become standard therapy for aortic stenosis patients with intermediate or high operative risk. Treatment of patients with pre-existing mechanical mitral valve replacement (MVR) is challenging due to possible interference between the TAVI prosthesis and MVR. We present […]
Does a cardiologist and a heart surgeon have the same responsibilities?
In the field of heart pathology, there is a concept that is not always clear, at media level or between patients or even Healthcare professionals from other fields: the difference between a Cardiologist and a Heart Surgeon. This difference can lead to misunderstandings and it essential when analysing and understandings many aspects of this pathology. […]
Which specialist doctor should be responsible for implanting a transcatheter valve or TAVI?
Who should implant TAVI? As we saw on “Does a cardiologist and a heart surgeon have the same responsibilities?”, two fields (Cardiology and Heart Surgery) that diagnose and treat the different types of heart ailments or in different stages of the therapeutic process. What is a “heart team”? Due to this common ground (but also […]
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI): for which patients?
As we have explained on “What does TAVI mean? What is it for?”, the election of the most proper technique for treating aortic stenosis on a patient must be done on an individual basis, considering the specific factors for each person. Regardless of that, evaluating it as TAVI application is interesting as it has been […]
What is TAVI? What is it for?
Aortic stenosis: TAVI As we saw on “What is the treatment for aortic stenosis?”, when the narrowing of this valve reaches a certain level of severity and manifestations (signs and symptoms), it may be necessary to correct the valve problem. Over the years, there is a technique which is being increasingly extended, and it is […]
What is the treatment for aortic stenosis?
What is the treatment for aortic stenosis? There are different options to treat the narrowing of the aortic valve and it is important to analyse in detail the characteristics of each patient in order to choose the best option, considering the degree of severity and the rest of the characteristics (age, associated diseases, medical and […]
What are the symptoms for aortic stenosis?
As “What is aortic stenosis?” or “Which are the causes for aortic stenosis?” is clarified, it is time to clarify what are the symptoms for aortic stenosis. As we already know, aortic stenosis is the narrowing of the hole where blood flows, to the exit of the heart (left ventricle) to arrive to all organs […]
Which are the causes for aortic stenosis?
There are different causes that might result in aortic stenosis (see “what is aortic stenosis”) including: Calcification of the valve Rheumatic fever Congenital heart problems Calcification of the valve Over the years, valves suffer an ageing process that consists on calcium build-up in its cusps, which results in stiffness and opening problems. Not all calcification […]
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What is aortic stenosis?
Aortic stenosis is an affectation of the valve which is in the left ventricular outflow and consists of a narrowing and a reduction of its functional diameter. In order to understand the impact of this situation, we must remind some basic concepts. What are the valves of the heart and what are their functions? Heart […]
