Who is a Good Surgical Candidate in the Era of TAVR?

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Who is a Good Surgical Candidate in the Era of TAVR? is a non-CME webinar discussion, which will focus on education leading to improved patient care and better outcomes.

Moderator

Susheel K. Kodali, M.D.

Director, Columbia Heart Valve Center
Assistant Professor in Medicine, CUMC

Faculty

Michael A. Borger, M.D.

Director of Cardiovascular Institute and Director of Aortic Program
George Humphries II Professor of Surgery

Isaac George, M.D.

Surgical Director, Transcatheter Therapies
Assistant Professor in Surgery, CUMC

Tamim Nazif, M.D.

Director of Clinical Services, Columbia Heart Valve Center
Assistant Professor in Medicine, CUMC

Target Audience

This activity is designed for cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, and cardiac surgeons.

Program Description

Transcathether Aortic Valve Therapy (TAVR) has transformed the treatment and care of patients with aortic stenosis (AS). Prior to TAVR nearly 20% of AS patients who were considered inoperable had no treatment options and the survival rate was less than 50% within two years. After extensive clinical trials it was determined that TAVR was a safe and effective therapy for patients who are extreme risk for surgical intervention. Current clinical trials are examining patients who are considered intermediate risk for surgery. Early results look promising with outcomes that are equivalent to surgery. TAVR has the added benefit of being a minimally invasive option which means shorter hospital stays and shorter recovery time.

So who is an ideal candidate for surgery? Are all patients candidates for TAVR or do some patients have better outcomes with open heart surgery? Does surgical risk always play a factor? Does age and/or gender impact the patient outcome? This program will explore these questions and more.