Balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Device evolution, technique, and post-operative care

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the treatment of choice in elderly patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Though trials have shown positive results in low-risk patients, we should be cautious, as these trials were not all comer. Studies have also shown that early intervention helps in patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis as well. The first device introduced was a balloon expandable (Edward Sapien), and a self-expanding (Medtronic CoreValve) device soon followed. Presently, multiple devices are available in both balloon expandable and self-expanding categories. This review provides a brief review of balloon expandable TAVI valves and stepwise approach for performing TAVI.