A new editorial in the European Heart Journal calls for a unified acronym for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to reduce confusion. While both terms refer to the same procedure for patients with aortic stenosis, they are used differently in various regions—TAVR in the U.S. and TAVI in Europe and Asia.
Lead author Dr. Ciro Indolfi and his team highlight the confusion surrounding the two terms, with TAVR being more widely adopted in the U.S. following FDA approval and Medicare reimbursement policies. However, the authors argue that TAVR is more accurate, as the procedure involves implanting a new valve rather than replacing the native one.
The authors advocate for global collaboration among cardiac societies to settle on a single acronym, which could benefit both healthcare professionals and patients.
Follow MEDWIRE.AI for more updates on cardiovascular health and innovations.
4o mini
