Advances in Aortic Valve Replacement for the Recovery of Elderly Patients in Southern Florida

Advances in Aortic Valve Replacement for the Recovery of Elderly Patients in Southern Florida

Alvin Sherman Library

Aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve, is a significant health burden in aging populations, as in Broward County, Florida, where the elderly demographic is rapidly expanding. The classical approach to valve replacement is performed via Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR). Recently, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), a minimally invasive alternative, has emerged as a life-changing option for patients with a high surgical risk. Using inductive methods, this study compiled and analyzed data from existing research records and publications comparing endothelial recovery following TAVR and SAVR. We aim to design a teaching case study to highlight how procedural choice affects vascular recovery and patient outcomes, while providing an educational framework for understanding the modern management of aortic stenosis. We explained the assessment in which endothelial function was compared using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) as a surrogate marker of vascular health. A recently recovered TAVR patient was also interviewed, using open-ended and specific questions designed to align personal recovery experiences with clinical outcomes. The findings indicate that TAVR enables earlier endothelial recovery, with measurable improvement in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) within one week. This rapid recovery enhances systemic, coronary, and renal circulation and contributes to the alleviation of heart failure progression. These findings are being synthesized into a teaching case study designed for integrating pathophysiology, diagnostic reasoning, and treatment decision-making for undergraduate students. Future directions include exploring optimal valve design trends and expanding the case to incorporate long-term, patient-centered outcomes following TAVR.