Right ventricular-pulmonary artery coupling in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: is it relevant?

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is now the preferred treatment strategy for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis who are either high-risk, in-operable or intermediate-risk patients (1-3). The role of TAVR in low-risk patients is still not well established, and current evidence is limited to retrospective studies (4). However, several trials are underway which will hopefully address this knowledge gap (5-8). Undoubtedly, TAVR has transformed the landscape of management in AS patients, and its role is expected to expand in the years ahead. As matter of fact, some believe that the risk stratification should be altered to “high-risk TAVR patients” especially if low-risk trial shows positive outcomes.