What role for transcatheter mitral valve replacement?

Abstract

Despite the safety and efficacy of transmitral valve repair techniques, transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) has emerged as a potential treatment option for patients with severe mitral regurgitation at high or prohibitive surgical risk. To date, over 250 high-risk patients with severe mitral regurgitation have been treated with 10 different TMVR devices, demonstrating the feasibility of this technique. Parallel to the potential advantages of this procedure (reproducible mitral regurgitation reduction, possibility of targeting all potential anatomic variations), many challenges has emerged during the design and implantation phases. Further larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to evaluate safety and efficacy of TMVR.