Who is Eligible for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)?

What is Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)?

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a revolutionary type of heart surgery taking the medical world by storm. It’s a minimally invasive procedure for people with severe aortic stenosis that helps improve symptoms, quality of life, and survival rate. But who is eligible for TAVR?

In this article, we’ll discuss the requirements for TAVR and who should consider this treatment option. We’ll cover topics such as age and physical condition, comorbidities and risk factors, heart function, and the risks of TAVR. Recommended by the Best TAVI Experts in Delhi So if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, read on and learn who is eligible for TAVR. Let’s get started!

Who is Eligible for TAVR?

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is an alternative to traditional aortic valve replacement surgery. It is a minimally invasive procedure, sometimes called “transcatheter aortic valve implantation,” that replaces a damaged aortic valve without open-heart surgery. Instead, a catheter is inserted through a small incision in the groin or chest and guided to the damaged valve. The new valve is placed in the same position as the old, incompetent valve and the catheter is then removed.

In general, TAVR may be an appropriate treatment option for individuals living with aortic valve disease who are at intermediate, high, or prohibitive risk for open-heart surgery. The decision about a patient’s suitability for TAVR should be made by a Best TAVI Experts in India , who will assess the patient’s cardiac status and medical condition.

The exact criteria used to determine whether a patient is eligible for TAVR vary depending on the institution and device being used. Generally, the patient should be considered an appropriate candidate if they meet the following criteria:

• Are aged 75 years or older with symptoms, or aged 70 and over with severe aortic stenosis,

• Have an expected mortality rate of 15% or higher and/or a major adverse event rate of 20% or higher if undergoing open-heart surgery

• Have symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and/or severely reduced ejection fraction

• Have severe aortic stenosis and/or severely reduced ejection fraction with a Life Expectancy of at least 2 years

• Have an appropriate anatomy for TAVR that can be supported by the device used

In addition, the patient should not have any of the following conditions:

• Active endocarditis
• Active infection
• Severe pulmonary hypertension
• Severe peripheral vascular disease
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Severe kidney disease
• Severe liver disease
  

Age and Physical Condition

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a medical procedure used to treat certain medical conditions. The procedure does have certain uses, and patients must meet certain criteria to be eligible. Generally, patients must be 70 years of age or older with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, or up to 75 years of age with at least one of the following: severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and one or more risk factors, such as low left ventricular ejection fraction or pulmonary hypertension.

Comorbidities

Since TAVR is an invasive procedure, patients must be carefully screened for potential risks. One of the main factors that affects eligibility is comorbidities. A comorbidity is a condition that exists alongside the original diagnosis, such as heart failure or coronary artery disease. Patients must be cleared of any significant comorbidities before they can qualify for TAVR. Some comorbidities that may disqualify a patient from TAVR include advanced lung disease, end-stage renal disease, bleeding disorders, and certain types of cancer.

Risk Factors

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is generally recommended in patients who are at high risk of complications or death due to open heart surgery. Physicians will assess a range of patient characteristics and risk factors to determine if TAVR is an appropriate option and it should be only done with the Best TAVI Experts in India. These risk factors may include existing medical conditions, severity of aortic valve stenosis, level of physical activity, age, and any other medical conditions that may increase the risks of undergoing an open heart surgery. In addition, physicians will also consider whether the patient has been previously treated for aortic valve disease. Ultimately, the physician will decide if TAVR is a suitable treatment option for each individual patient.

Heart Function

The primary criterion for eligibility for TAVR is that a patient must have severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis with impaired heart function. This is determined by the patient’s ejection fraction (EF), which is a measure of the percentage of blood pumped out of the heart with each contraction. Patients with an EF less than or equal to 40% are generally eligible for the procedure. However, if the EF is higher than 40%, it is important to consider other factors, such as age and other cardiac health issues, before making a determination.

Conclusion

TAVR is a safe and effective form of aortic valve replacement that is available to those who are at high or intermediate risk of conventional open-heart surgery. Eligibility for TAVR is determined by postoperative Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC) scores and the individual risk factors of each patient. Those who meet the criteria for eligibility for the procedure are those with a VARC score of three or higher, severe aortic stenosis, and significant comorbidities. While TAVR is a relatively new procedure, evidence suggests that it is a viable option for those with aortic stenosis and a high risk of complications from conventional open-heart surgery. Ultimately, the decision to move forward with this procedure should be discussed between the individual, their physician, and the Dr Viveka Team.