TAVI
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is a percutaneous procedure where in selected Patients through the groin or other vascular access a valve that has been previously squeezed in a large bore catheter can be brought inside the heart and then released. This approach doesn't require any surgical access and usually is performed under moderate sedation with fluoroscopic assistance by a Cardiac Surgeon and an Interventional Cardiologist
Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair
As for TAVI selected Patients suffering of mitral valve disease but too fragile or presenting an high risk profile for a surgical approach can benefit from percutaneous mitral valve repair. A groin vascular access allows a Cardiac Surgeon or an Interventional Cardiologist to bring inside the heart a small device specifically designed to reduce mitral regurgitation
Transcatheter Mitral Valve replacement
When a leaking mitral valve can not be repaired it must be replaced. Patients presenting an high surgical risk profile can benefit from a minimally invasive procedure where through a small left sided thoracotomy the apex of the heart is accessed and under echo and fluoro guidance an expandable valve is deployed. This fascinating technology at this time is under FDA investigation and although available in Europe will become available also in US as soon as possible. Several catheter-based devices not requiring any surgical access are actually under investigation in US and some patients might be included in the Trials