Key result
FLOWer embolic protection during TAVR achieves 100% technical success with no 30-day neurologic events.
Why the study?
Stroke remains a feared complication of TAVR, and the utility of full-body embolic protection devices in high-risk patients undergoing TAVR is yet to be determined.
Does adjunctive full-body embolic protection prevent neurologic events and safely capture debris in high-surgical-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis and high-risk embolic features undergoing TAVR?
Case Report (n=3)
No
Does adjunctive full-body embolic protection prevent neurologic events and safely capture debris in high-surgical-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis and high-risk embolic features undergoing TAVR?
The use of a full-body embolic protection device during TAVR in patients with high-risk embolic phenotypes is technically feasible and can capture significant macroscopic debris without periprocedural neurologic complications.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports technical feasibility in high-risk TAVR without early events; leaves open stroke reduction efficacy pending randomized trials.
Stroke remains one of the most feared complications of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We report our initial experience using a dedicated full-body embolic protection device during TAVR in 3 patients with severe aortic stenosis and high-risk embolic features. This included large thrombus on the aortic valve, a left ventricular outflow tract mass, and persistent left atrial thrombus despite anticoagulation. Device deployment and retrieval were successful in all procedures, with no device-related complications or neurologic events at 30-day follow-up. Macroscopic debris was retrieved in 2 patients, and histopathologic analysis in 1 case demonstrated atheromatous plaque components. This initial experience demonstrates the feasibility of full-body embolic protection in selected patients with high-risk undergoing TAVR and supports further evaluation in prospective studies.
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Abukhalaf et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Severe aortic stenosis with high embolic risk (n=3). FLOWer full-body embolic protection device was evaluated on Neurologic events at 30 days. The use of the FLOWer full-body embolic protection device during TAVR in three high-risk patients was safe, achieved 100% technical success, and resulted in 0 neurologic events at 30 days.
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