Comprehensive multidisciplinary patient assessment and selection before TAVI procedure

Aortic stenosis is a common disorder that affects nearly 5% of persons >75 years of age. Aortic valve replacement is indicated for symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis, as the prognosis of untreated patients is poor. Nevertheless, many patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis do not undergo surgical valve replacement, which has been attributed to comorbidities. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a novel method to treat selected high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. Patient screening and anatomic measurements of the aortic root are of great importance to ensure procedural success and appropriate patient selection. This review outlines comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment and selection of these patients and the evolving role of the echocardiogram and the multislice computed tomography in support of TAVI program.