Safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in intermediate risk patients sets the stage for contemporary trials in lower risk groups

Since first performed in 2002 by Alan Cribier (1), transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as an attractive alternative for the treatment of patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) who are inoperable or at high-risk for complications with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), based in large part on the results of the three seminal randomized control trials (2-4). The procedure has indeed been a true transformative technology in the treatment of severe AS, and has expanded the range of options for these complex patients, many of whom had no prior options. As such, there has been a rapid dissemination of the TAVR technology for widespread utilization among these patients.