Nursing patients with small anatomy undergoing TAVI

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has quickly emerged as the alternative treatment option for the treatment and management of severe aortic stenosis worldwide ( National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2012 ). TAVI procedures can be carried out via a number of access routes and are associated with various risks. However, patients with smaller body size and, therefore, smaller anatomy are at a higher risk of developing a post procedural risk ( Watanabe and Kouzuma, 2014 ). Nursing assessment and management of these groups of patients, both before and after their procedure, is a vital part of the nursing process ( Lilley et al, 2014 ). Patients with smaller anatomy are at a higher risk of post procedural complications post TAVI. Therefore, both cardiology and cardiac catheter lab nurses need to ensure that these patients are well assessed and managed, in order to promptly identify and manage any post procedural complications which may occur as a result of TAVI.