Newer-generation of Edwards transcatheter aortic valve systems: SAPIEN 3, Centera, and SAPIEN 3 Ultra

Abstract

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the standard of care for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis at moderate to high surgical risk. Newer devices are now available and broader indications are expected in the near future. Areas Covered: The Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) trials initially proved the efficacy of TAVI with the Edwards SAPIEN balloon-expandable valve in patients deemed in-operable and at high-risk and later on in intermediate-risk patients using the SAPIEN-XT valve. These trials had laid the groundwork for advancements incorporated in the SAPIEN-3 system such as the introduction of anti-leak skirt and improved delivery system. In this review, we summarize the available data on the SAPIEN-3 transcatheter heart valve system and we highlight the special features of the newly designed Edwards CENTERA self-expandable valve and the latest generation of SAPIEN-3 Ultra™ system. A detailed literature search on these devices was undertaken using Ovid, PubMed and Web of Science. Expert Commentary: Data from clinical trials show that TAVI with newer-generation of Edwards transcatheter heart valve systems have shown significant improvement in terms of reduced paravalvular leak and have been associated with extremely good clinical outcomes.