Considerations for Optimal Device Selection in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement A Review

Importance Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is the most common manifestation of acquired valvular heart disease in developed countries. Several large-scale randomized clinical trials investigating the entire spectrum of patients with severe symptomatic AS from low to prohibitive risk have established transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as a safe and effective alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement. Observations There are currently only 3 types of TAVR devices commercially available in the US, but several other valve types are undergoing clinical trials in the US. Because of fundamental differences in engineering features, each TAVR device type has specific strengths and limitations. This review aims to provide an overview of design features and clinical outcomes of various TAVR devices that are either commercially available or undergoing clinical investigation. Conclusions and Relevance Given the lack of large-scale head-to-head comparisons of various TAVR devices and the rapid development of new device iterations, there is insufficient evidence to claim superiority of one device type over another. Nonetheless, as each TAVR device has unique design characteristics, certain patient-related and anatomy-related factors may slightly favor one or several particular designs. This narrative review provides an overview of design features and clinical outcomes of 3 commercially available transcatheter aortic valve replacement devices.

Automated summary

Aortic valve stenosis is the most common manifestation of acquired valvular heart disease in developed countries, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been established as a safe and effective alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement. Currently, there are only a few TAVR devices commercially available in the US, with several others undergoing clinical trials. Each type of TAVR device has specific strengths and limitations due to differences in engineering features.