Transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR), a procedure in which a prosthetic valve is inserted into the aortic annulus by a catheter, has been approved by the FDA as an alternative to surgical aortic-valve replacement for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who are considered inoperable.

AORTIC STENOSIS — Untreated patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis have a 50% mortality rate within 2 years. Some patients with severe aortic stenosis are not candidates for surgery because of advanced age, left ventricular dysfunction or other illnesses.1 Others undergo surgery despite a high operative risk.

THE VALVE — The Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve (Edwards Lifesciences) approved in the US is a trileaflet valve constructed from bovine pericardium and mounted in a balloon-expandable stainless steel frame. The ... more      

Would you like to read the rest of this article?  Gain access below.