Treating tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has gained increasing importance in interventionism. There is abundant literature on the negative natural evolution of this condition and its unfavorable prognosis, as well as the clinical challenges associated to optimal medical treatment. Among its percutaneous treatment options, both edge-to-edge repair devices (TEER), as showed in TriValve and TRILUMINATE trials, and…
New Advances in Mitral Regurgitation Devices with Promising Results
Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a frequent valvulopathy and when the optimal medical treatment at maximum tolerated doses is not enough, surgery is the first course of action. And even though edge-to-edge repair with clips has seen substantial improvement, it is currently reserved for those at high risk of surgery. However, there is an increasing number…
SAFE-TAVI Study: Safety and Efficacy of the Pressure Sensor and Pacing Guidewire
Currently, we observe an increase in the number of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures due to its expansion toward a younger population with lower risk. For this reason, it is crucial to maintain continuous technological innovation to minimize post-procedural complications. The FDA has approved the SavyWire, a preformed 0.035-caliber guidewire that offers three essential…
Can Ultrasound Treat Aortic Stenosis?
Severe calcified aortic stenosis is a common condition that can currently be effectively treated with SAVR or TAVR. However, some patients, given comorbidities or anatomical characteristics, are not good candidates for these therapeutic alternatives. The non-invasive ultrasound therapy (NIUT) has surged as viable alternative. It claims ultrasound might act on calcified valves, and mobilize tissue…
Is AS Only Important When Severe?
Aortic stenosis (AS) is a progressive disease associated with morbidity and mortality, especially in severe cases. However, recent studies have revealed that moderate stenosis can also have unfavorable consequences in the course of the disease. One of the challenges lies in that determining its severity is sometimes difficult due to discrepancies between valve area, gradient,…
CAPTIS, a Novel Cerebral Embolic Protection System in TAVR
The incidence of stroke after TAVR ranges between 2 and 5%, depending on the series, which has been associated with higher morbimortality, affecting patient quality of life and their psycho-social environment. Many cerebral embolic protection systems have been developed in response, and even though they have been shown beneficial in many studies, their role in…
Cerebral Embolic Protection Devices: How Useful are they in TAVR?
During TAVR, we often fear the possibility of a stroke, which occurs in approximately 1 – 2% of cases. In general, this phenomenon is caused by thrombi stemming from atherosclerotic or calcified plaque, depending on the etiology. Even though its incidence has declined with technology development and the increasing expertise of operators, it is still…
Is TAVR Beneficial in Cardiogenic Shock?
The presence of cardiogenic shock (CS) in a setting of aortic stenosis ranges from 1% to 4%. The prognosis for this scenario is ominous due to subendocardial ischemia, which presents as a decrease in ventricular preload and an increase in afterload. Aortic valvuloplasty has been used in this context, but, unfortunately, it has been associated…
Impella in High Risk Coronary Angioplasty before TAVR
The population is aging, which is closely related with the presence of aortic stenosis. This condition, as we know, is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) approximately in 50% of cases. In high risk surgical patients, this calls for procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). PCI with ventricular…
TCT 2023 | CLASP IID Study 1-Year Results: PASCAL vs. MITRACLIP for Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation
The negative impact of mitral regurgitation (MR) on patient mortality, morbidity, and quality of life is widely recognized. However, only 15% of patients are referred for surgery due to their high surgical risk and low ejection fraction. Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair has become an important alternative for this group of patients. For subjects with degenerative MR,…
TCT 2023 | VIVA Trial: TAVR vs. SAVR in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis and Small Aortic Annulus
Degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valve condition. A significant number of AS patients presents a small aortic annulus (SAA), especially women. Treating this group of patients remains challenging, seeing as they have a high incidence of suboptimal hemodynamic results. Despite the development of TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement), the current guidelines do…