The FDA approved TAVR in November 2011, marking a significant advancement in cardiology. Prior to TAVR’s approval, aortic stenosis patients had few, if any, options for treatment, according to the release.
The American College of Cardiology Foundation, the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons issued the document to guide healthcare providers in selecting patients for the treatment and how to best perform the procedure.
The consensus document makes several recommendations on successfully integrating TAVR into a cardiology program. Some of the recommended criteria for TAVR include the following:
• Careful patient selection.
• Team-based approach.
• Specialized heart centers and physician expertise in treating valve disorders; this includes use of proctors as needed to serve on the heart care team during the first few cases, as well as proper facilities (hybrid operating rooms or modified cath labs).
• TAVR screening tests to inform treatment decisions.
• Enhanced patient and family education in the risks and benefits of this procedure.
• Ongoing evaluation and participation in national TAVR registry to assess real world outcomes.
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