Anesthetic management of transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Left untreated or medically managed, symptomatic severe aortic valvular disease is associated with high mortality. Whereas surgical management has tremendously reduced the mortality from aortic valve disease, it carries its own risk particularly in patients who are poor surgical candidates due to multiple comorbidities. To reduce this risk, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has evolved as a noninvasive alternative for treating patients with severe aortic valvular disease. With the advancement of technology and experience, the use of TAVR has expanded to encompass patients with moderate and low surgical risk, pending long-term outcome studies. This chapter discusses the conduct, complications, and care after TAVR.