Does valve in valve TAVR carry a higher risk for thromboembolic events compared to native valve TAVR?

Objective: To evaluate the risk for brain lesions in valve in valve (VIV)-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) compared to native valve procedures (NV-TAVR).

Background: TAVR is associated with the risk of stroke and a high incidence of brain lesions in diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). The risk in VIV procedures is unknown.

Performance of the Evolut-R 34 mm versus Sapien-3 29 mm in Transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients with larger annuli: Early outcome results of Evolut-R 34 mm as compared with Sapien-3 29 mm in patients with Annuli ≥26 mm.

Background: Evolut-R 34 mm (received CE mark in January 2017) and Sapien-3 29 mm are the only options for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with annulus ≥26 mm. We compared the short-term outcomes of these valves in these patients.

Methods: Data was collected prospectively from consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis and annulus diameter larger than 26 mm treated by femoral approach TAVR.

Increased Risk of Cerebral Embolization After Implantation of a Balloon-Expandable Aortic Valve Without Prior Balloon Valvuloplasty.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) without versus with prior balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) on the risk of cerebral embolization in patients who receive a balloon-expandable valve.

Background: Avoiding BAV prior to TAVR may simplify the procedure, but the risk of cerebral embolization is currently unknown.

Methods: A total of 87 consecutive high surgical-risk patients with no contraindications for diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) were enrolled.