Transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a relatively new procedure for patients with aortic stenosis who are at risk for surgery. Although this procedure was not used in the United States until 2011, it has gained popularity as the preferred alternative treatment and is believed to become the preferred standard treatment in the near future. Since TAVR is still new and postoperative care is crucial in the patient outcomes, it is important and necessary for nurses to have the comprehensive knowledge of the treatment, its postoperative complications, and available nursing interventions for the postoperative care. This article gives an overall and updated review of TAVR with focus on what it is, why it is used, how it works, what complications may arise from the treatment, and what nurses should know and do to take better care of patients undergoing TAVR and help improve the outcomes.