Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): Device Innovations and Procedural Strategies for Lifetime Heart Valve Management
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) has fundamentally reshaped the treatment of severe aortic stenosis, rapidly expanding its application from high-risk surgical candidates to include intermediate and low-risk patients. Recent innovations are primarily focused on optimizing device design for enhanced long-term durability and managing future patient needs. Key advancements include next-generation valves with improved profiles to minimize paravalvular leak and sophisticated frame designs that facilitate coronary re-access for subsequent procedures, a critical consideration for younger patients. Furthermore, procedural improvements, such as the increased adoption of transfemoral access, AI-driven pre-procedural planning, and specialized tools like the Telltale guidewire for procedures like BASILICA, are collectively driving down complications and making TAVR a safer, more effective solution for lifetime valve management.