Editorial commentary: Use of cerebral embolic protection devices during transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for severe aortic stenosis. Many of these patients have heavily calcified aortic valve and atherosclerotic or porcelain aorta. As reviewed by Vlastra et al. [1] in the present study, these patients are at very high risk for cerebrovascular events due to atherosclerotic and calcific debris embolization during manipulation of wire and large bore catheters in the atherosclerotic aorta as well as manipulation of calcific aortic valve during balloon valvuloplasty and transcatheter valve deployment.
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research