Transcatheter Treatment of Aortic Valve Disease Clinical and Technical Aspects

Degenerative aortic valve disease is the most common heart valve disease in western countries. After the onset of symptoms, the prognosis of aortic stenosis is poor, despite optimal medical therapy. In recent years transcatheter aortic valve implantation has been affirmed as a viable treatment for patients with high to low surgical risk. Patient screening and procedural planning are crucial for minimizing complications and achieving procedural success. In the last decade, we have seen a progressive technological development in the percutaneous approach, allowing for expanding indications even in low-risk populations. Here we report a brief review summarizing patient screening and procedural planning in patients with aortic valve disease undergoing a transcatheter approach.