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AUGUST 2015 | The Surgical Technologist | 351 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S s Review the pathophysiology of the heart s Explain the condition that is aortic valve stenosis s List the advantages of transcatheter aortic valve replacement s Recall the procedural steps of a TAVR s Identify the complications of this procedure Ryan Parker , cst, csfa Without intervention, 50% of patients suffering from symptomatic aortic valve stenosis will diewithin two years after the onset of symptoms. However, transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures are giving patients renewed hope as the procedure allows for a cure for their aortic valve stenosis. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures are typically for patients who are considered non-operable through traditional ster- notomy because of preexisting comorbidities, which prevent them from being candidates, or for cases where open heart surgery has been deemed too risky. The advancements in technology surround- ing transcatheter aortic valve replacements have advanced greatly in recent years. New versions of the valves and deployment systems have begun to surface, offering lower profile valves, more valve sizes and smaller sheaths (offering completely percutaneous surgery without a cut down). In the future, this technology may be a less invasive option for any patient suffering with aortic valve stenosis. 4 PA T HOPH Y S I OL OG Y The heart is the center of the body’s circulatory system. The heart is made up of four chambers. The left and right ventricles dispatch blood and the left and right atriums receive blood. The heart contains four valves. These valves consist of tissue-paper-like leaflets which regu-