1361.2 – Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation via Transfemoral or Transapical Delivery (resubmission)

New MBS item.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) aims to provide a less invasive alternative to open heart surgery to treat aortic stenosis. In this procedure the new aortic valve is inserted through a catheter into the heart, with the patient under general anaesthesia (or using local anaesthesia with sedation). The new valve is positioned within the existing diseased aortic valve and is immediately functional. The faulty valve is not cut or removed.

TAVI can be performed via the transfemoral approach (into the femoral artery) or the transapical approach (through the chest wall for patients where the transfemoral approach is not suitable).

Type: Therapeutic

Aortic stenosis (AS) typically occurs in individuals greater than 65 years of age and involves progressive thickening and hardening of the leaflets (heart valve flaps) which become restricted in their opening when the heart contracts. This in turn causes a thickening of the heart muscle and a decrease of flow of blood to the body and coronary arteries.

Typically, patients with AS are free from cardiovascular symptoms (e.g. angina, syncope and/or heart failure) until late in the course of the disease. However, once symptoms manifest, the prognosis is poor, especially when associated with congestive heart failure. Death in general, including sudden death, occurs primarily in symptomatic patients.

• PASC meeting: -
• ESC meeting: 10 - 11 February 2016
• MSAC meeting: 30 - 31 March 2016

Note: for PICO confirmation, refer to application 1361.