Surgical replacement of the aortic valve is the therapy of choice for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. However, surgical risk increases significantly with age and with the association of comorbidities. In this clinical context, transcatheter aortic-valve implantation must be considered as a valid and effective therapeutic alternative. The purpose of this Consensus is to provide a critical review of all the evidence and recent advances related to transcatheter aortic-valve implantation and summarize the current state of the art, in order to better guide therapeutic decision-making. Patient selection for transcatheter aortic-valve implantation must meet the following criteria: 1) presence of severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis, defined as aortic valve orifice area < 1 cm² (or < 0.6 cm²/m²); 2) age > 75 years and a high probability of surgical morbidity and mortality due to pre-existing comorbidities; and 3) the presence of anatomical and morphological conditions favorable for transcatheter interventions. Current scientific evidence indicates that this procedure improves symptoms and reduces mortality in patients with aortic stenosis who were not suitable candidates for surgery, as compared to standard therapy. Additionally, in patients with severe aortic stenosis and high surgical risk, transcatheter aortic-valve implantation is an alternative effective treatment, able to alter the natural course of disease in a manner equivalent to conventional surgical treatment.
Aortic valve stenosis; Heart valve prosthesis implantation; Bioprosthesis; Catheters