Alternative access routes for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

The transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a preferred treatment option among the patients with severe aortic stenosis who were considered to be non-operable or at high surgical risk. The basic principle of the crimped valve and the catheter-based implantation to the stenotic native valve remains unchanged, but several different concepts of bioprosthesis and approaches of valve implantation have been developed. All the concepts have proven their safety and efficiency, however, there are only limited data available comparing one approach to another. The objective of this paper is to offer an overview and more detailed specification of current TAVI access techniques.