Transcatheter aortic valve replacement: History and current status

Despite the poor prognosis associated with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis, treatment options were limited for a large subgroup of patients deemed high risk for surgical replacement. The introduction of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) over the past 10 years marks a new and exciting era in the treatment of valvular disease in these high-risk and inoperable patients. In this review, we outline the historical development, key clinical trials, current outcomes and future directions of TAVR.