Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) involve procedures to replace a damaged aortic valve with a prosthetic one through minimally invasive techniques. Building a TAVR program requires careful planning that includes collaboration and adherence to both medical and regulatory standards. Below are some overarching steps that need to be done to build a successful TAVR program.
Needs Assessment: Initially, the organization needs to complete an assessment of the need for a TAVR program based on the prevalence of aortic valve disease in their market.
Team Formation: The hospital will need to assemble a multidisciplinary team that includes interventional/structural heart cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses as well as other essential staff. All these team members should have expertise in TAVR procedures. If not, necessary training should be determined.
Facility Infrastructure: The catheterization lab will need to be equipped with the necessary imaging equipment and the facility infrastructure will need to meet TAVR requirements to perform the procedures safely.
Training and Education: The entire team will need to have the appropriate training and understand various procedural techniques, patient selection, and post-procedural care.
Patient Selection Criteria: Specific criteria for patient selection needs to be based on clinical indications and guidelines. The multi-disciplinary care team should meet on a regular basis to review and assess patient eligibility that includes shared decision-making with the patient.
Protocols and Pathways: Standardized patient flows that include protocols and pathways should be developed for pre-intra and post-procedure care.
Quality Assurance: A system should be developed that includes collecting, and analyzing data to follow and track patient outcomes, complications, and success of the procedures.
Regulatory Compliance: There are local and national guidelines that outline the standards that need to be met.
It is important to keep in mind that building a TAVR program will take collaboration of the entire team, ongoing education, and a continuous commitment to providing the utmost in quality patient outcomes.
