The Transformation: Transcatheter Innovations

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Transcatheter therapies like TAVR and TEER have revolutionized VHD treatment, transforming what was once risky open-heart surgery into safe, minimally invasive procedures. These innovations have made treatment accessible to patients who were previously considered too high-risk for surgery.

TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement):

• FDA approved in 2011, TAVR has become the standard of care for severe aortic stenosis

• Now first-line treatment for patients 65 and older

• Performed through a small catheter inserted in the groin or chest

• Patients return to normal activity within days, not months

• Mortality rates as low as 1-2% in experienced centers

• Over 500,000 procedures performed worldwide

TEER (Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair):

• Includes MitraClip and TriClip devices for valve regurgitation

• Repairs leaking heart valves without open surgery

• Reduces mortality by 38% compared to medical therapy alone

• Significantly improves quality of life and reduces hospitalizations

• Ideal for patients with heart failure due to mitral or tricuspid regurgitation

The Impact:

These transcatheter innovations mean that age and frailty are no longer barriers to treatment. Patients in their 80s and 90s can safely receive life-saving valve procedures and return home within 1-2 days. This transformation represents one of the most significant advances in cardiovascular medicine in the past two decades.