Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular disease. Its prevalence increases with age, and given our rapidly aging population, it is predicted that the number of patients with AS will double over the next 50 years.1 While degenerative AS can be easily diagnosed, the natural history of symptomatic, untreated AS is poor. Even with medical management, patients who are not candidates for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) have a one-year mortality of 51 percent and an average survival of only 1.8 years.2,3
The innovative technology and rapid progress of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has revolutionized the treatment of patients with AS. Based on robust clinical trials, as per current American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines, TAVR – as a class I indication – is now recommended for patients with severe AS who have a clinical need for SAVR but are...
