Michael Želízko, Bronislav Janek, Ivan Netuka, Jiří Malý, Marek Hrnčárek, Marianna Lukášová
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is indicated in patients who are significantly limited by symptoms and whose aortic stenosis is dominant and haemodynamically significant disease (aortic valve area - AVA ≤ 0,6 cm2/m2). It is related to advanced age patients (over 75 years), those with a high surgical risk who are not suitable candidates for classic surgical aortic valve replacement and to specific situations when surgery is not technically feasible (porcelain aorta, following CABG, following radiation therapy in the chest area, etc.). In an overview article we are focusing on indications and contraindications of TAVI, the selection of patients and techniques of CoreValve and Sapien EDWARDS XT valve implantations (through transfemoral artery as well as alternative ways of access), including possible complications of the procedure. The results of clinical registries, the randomized PARTNER study and personal experience of the transcatheter aortic valve implantation are described in detail.