Expanding the Field of Transcatheter Heart Valve Therapies at Cleveland Clinic Florida By Emad Hakemi, MD, MS
Until recent years, open-heart surgery has been the standard of care for most patients with valvular disease, including aortic stenosis. However, minimally invasive procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and MitraClip™ have emerged as safe and effective minimally invasive alternatives for patients with advanced and complex valvular disease. Through Cleveland Clinic Florida’s Structural Heart Disease Program and Multidisciplinary Valve Clinic, our team of interventional cardiologists provides innovative, multispecialty care and access to the industry’s most advanced technology and procedures, including the use of balloon-expandable transcatheter valve bioprosthesis for patients with degenerated mitral valve bioprosthesis or failing mitral valve repair.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) In recent years, the minimally invasive TAVR procedure has revolutionized the management of valvular heart disease. A multitude of studies has shown TAVR to be a safe and effective alternative to traditional valve replacement. TAVR is available for patients of all risk levels with severe aortic stenosis, including those with degenerative aortic bioprosthesis stenosis or regurgitation.
Figure 1: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patient with severe aortic valve stenosis.
At Cleveland Clinic Florida, TAVR is routinely performed using a minimalistic approach. With the patient under local anesthesia and mild sedation, a new valve is inserted within the diseased valve through percutaneous transfemoral access. This approach provides patients with an expedited recovery with early discharge at one to two days. Our specialists have more than 10 years of experience with TAVR procedures, and the center performs among the highest volume of implants in Florida. Our expertise in structural heart disease combined with an extensive experience in TAVR translate to the best possible patient outcomes.
Figure 2: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patient with degenerated prior aortic bioprosthesis.
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CARDIAC CARE - SUMMER/FALL 2021
