The significance of postprocedural aortic regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation on postprocedural prognosis.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is becoming a more and more important treatment for aortic valve stenosis in high-risk surgical patients. Furthermore, there currently is a discussion for the expansion of TAVI to intermediate-risk patients. In the past, surgical aortic valve replacement was the standard treatment, with excellent results in hemodynamic, as well as echocardiographic parameters and survival rates. However, the results of the Partner A and Partner B trials, as well as the ADVANCE study demonstrate the promise of establishing TAVI as a real alternative treatment option for aortic valve stenosis. One of the risks of a TAVI procedure is the occurrence of aortic regurgitation (AR) post-TAVI. Mild AR is a common finding after TAVI and seems not to be a clinical problem; however, occurrence of significant postprocedural AR after TAVI is still a problem. There is a clear association between significant postprocedural AR and clinical outcomes. Therefore, this review focuses on the occurrence, reasons, diagnostics, clinical impact and treatment options of AR post-TAVI.