Will percutaneous valves replace open heart surgery?
It would seem unlikely at this point (at least I hope not until I pay for my kids’ college education!). Keep in mind that coronary artery stenting has not eliminated the need for coronary artery bypass surgery and I suspect there will be a similar balance with percutaneous valves. For now, these procedures are only being done in the most high risk of patients –that is, patients who are deemed too high risk for conventional techniques. The reason is, in part, because we really don’t know the long term success or safety of these new and, quite frankly, experimental procedures. For example, we already know that most patients who have received a percutaneous, trans-catheter aortic valve are left with what is known as a “para-valvular leak” or a leaking of blood around the new prosthetic valve as shown below: This most likely occurs because the original bad valve, full of calcium and debris is left behind, as the new valve is simply placed within the old valve. This can lead to long term i
