Scripta Medica (Jan 2012)

Transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation: The Berlin experience

  • D'ancona Giuseppe,
  • Pasic Miralem,
  • Drews Thorsten,
  • Buz Semih,
  • Dreysse Stephan,
  • Unbehaun Axel,
  • Hetzer Roland

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 43, no. 2
pp. 79 – 84

Abstract

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Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been recently introduced as a means to treat patients with severe aortic valve stenosis at high risk or rejected for conventional surgery. In the present manuscript we summarize the Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin (DHZB) experience with transapical TAVI starting from the initial steps for adequate TAVI team building and training and focusing on the technical issues and results in the first 500 operated patients. We will also comment upon the future of TAVI in the light of the results from large recent multi-center trials.

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