Evolution of Transcatheter Heart Valve Technology: Refining Aortic and Defining Mitral Valve Implantation

The aims of this thesis are to study the development of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), including pre-procedural imaging, novel adaptations and failure of the technology, and to draw on these experiences to explore some basic principles of transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI).

Specific goals include:
1. To review the anatomy of the aortic valve complex, principles of patient selection, and key procedural steps in TAVI.
2. To investigate the importance of non-invasive imaging in TAVI, with specific focus on pre-procedural multislice computed tomography.
3. To appraise the prevalence of aortic stenosis and adoption of TAVI in Europe.
4. To assess clinical outcomes associated with novel adaptations of TAVI technology.
5. To apply knowledge gained from the aortic valve arena, and apply it to describe a standardized methodology for the assessment of the mitral valve complex using multislice computed tomography for the purposes of transcatheter mitral valve implantation.