Device Reduces Risk of Brain Injury After Heart Valve Replacement

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Among patients with sever aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation, the use of a cerebral protection device (a filter that captures debris [tissue and plaque] dislodged during the procedure) reduced the number and volume of brain lesions. Although the clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI; replacement of the aortic valve, delivered via blood vessel with a catheter) have improved considerably during the last decade, stroke, which is associated with a 3-fold increase in mortality following TAVI, remains an important concern. Adding to this concern is the observation that ischemic lesions are found in as many as 80 percent of TAVI patients. Numerous devices have been developed to protect the brain from injury caused by embolic debris during TAVI, although clear evidence of the efficacy of any embolic protection device in TAVI is still missing. To read more, click here.

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