Nursing-Guided Pre-Procedural Preparation In Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) has become the treatment of choice for many patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). For TAVR candidate a multidisciplinary evaluation is necessary where nursing currently has an anecdotal participation. Our objective was the development and implementation of a TAVR program nurse led including a pre-TAVR assessment protocol for the patient and caregiver based in patient-centered approach. Methods: A multidisciplinary working group was created to develop the necessary contents for the TAVR nurse program and the TAVR pre-implantation nursing guide. A retrospective analysis of the preliminary single-center experience on pre-implantation assessment was performed.Results: A Pre-TAVR nurse clinic was launched to be carried out approximately 7-15 days before the intervention, focusing on training and education and a global patient assessment on geriatric features, frailty, cognitive impairment, dependence, quality of life and social support. 40 patients were evaluated in the preprocedural outclinic and subsequently the interventions were performed from March 2022 to July 2022. Regarding patient satisfaction with the pre-TAVR nurse consultation a mean score of 9,8 points was achieved for all items evaluated. Conclusion: Implementing a TAVR nurse program with a patient-centered approach is feasible and could help to improve the patient preparation, education and coaching, maintain continuity of care, and increase patient satisfaction throughout the TAVR process.