TAVI 2012: state of the art

The development of “transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)” is changing the field of cardiovascular medicine rapidly. The basic principle of TAVI is the percutaneous implantation of a bioprosthesis mounted in a metal frame. The prosthesis, which is attached to the tip of the catheter, is positioned in the native aortic valve and expanded. The first successful implantation was made by Alain Cribier in 2002. Several smaller mono- and multicenter studies later confirmed the technical feasibility of this procedure. Its true value as an important, therapeutic alternative to open heart surgery in inoperable and high-risk patients is now confirmed in large multicenter registries and by the prospective, randomized PARTNER trial. Decisive for the future acceptance of the procedure and for a possible expansion of the indication spectrum will be (1) continuous further development of the implantation technique and the prosthesis design, (2) reduction of TAVI-associated complications, (3) confirmation of the initial positive long-term results and (4) confirmation of the promising results in the treatment of surgical prosthesis dysfunctions and of patients with low to intermediate risk.