Cerebral embolic protection devices capture embolic debris during TAVR, but their clinical benefit in reducing peri-procedural stroke, which occurs at rates of 2-5%, remains debated.
Do cerebral embolic protection devices reduce the risk of stroke in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement?
This review highlights that despite the ability of CEP devices to capture embolic debris during TAVR, their definitive clinical benefit in reducing stroke risk remains uncertain.
Cerebral embolic protection (CEP) during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as an important tool in reducing stroke risk associated with this intervention. With the recent expansion of TAVR into lower-risk populations, the role of preventive strategies gained greater significance. Despite advancements in TAVR technologies, peri-procedural stroke remains a significant complication, with rates ranging between 2 and 5%. CEP devices, introduced at the time of the procedure, have been developed to capture embolic debris and reduce the risk of neurological events. However, while MRI-detected embolic debris is commonly captured by these devices, the clinical benefit in reducing stroke remains debated. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in relevant clinical research and CEP device development, offering recommendations for future studies to improve patient outcomes.
Tomasz Gąsior (Thu,) conducted a review in Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Cerebral embolic protection (CEP) was evaluated. Cerebral embolic protection devices capture embolic debris during TAVR, but their clinical benefit in reducing peri-procedural stroke, which occurs at rates of 2-5%, remains debated.