Routine use of cerebral protection devices during transcatheter aortic valve implantation: What does the evidence say?

Abstract

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a well-established treatment for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis in intermediate and high-risk patients. However, as TAVI indications increase, concerns regarding adverse events and complications rise in the same proportion. Stroke is one of the most feared TAVI complications and a hard endpoint present in all TAVI studies. TAVI-related stroke incidence becomes even more relevant with TAVI indications spreading to younger, low/intermediate-risk patients. Several devices have been developed to prevent this catastrophic event, some of them being broadly used. Nevertheless, the evidence for routine use of cerebral embolic protection devices is still controversial.