Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Inclusion criteria
- Severe aortic stenosis, defined as aortic valve area of < 1.0 cm2 (or aortic valve area index of < 0.6 cm2/m2) by the continuity equation, AND mean gradient > 40 mmHg or maximal aortic valve velocity > 4.0 m/sec by resting echocardiogram.
Subjects with low-flow/low gradient severe aortic stenosis can be included, provided low-dose dobutamine or exercise stress echocardiography demonstrates a mean gradient of > 40 mmHg or a maximal aortic valve velocity of > 4.0 m/sec, AND aortic valve area of < 1.0 cm2 (or aortic valve area index of < 0.6 cm2/m2).
- Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score of ≥ 8 OR documented heart team agreement of ≥ high risk for aortic valve replacement due to frailty or co-morbidities.
- Symptoms of aortic stenosis, AND New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class II or greater.
- The subject and the treating physician agree that the subject will return for all required post-procedure follow-up visits.
Exclusion criteria
- Any condition considered a contraindication for placement of a bioprosthetic valve (e.g. subject is indicated for mechanical prosthetic valve).
- A known hypersensitivity or contraindication to any of the following which cannot be adequately pre-medicated:
- aspirin or heparin (HIT/HITTS) and bivalirudin
- ticlopidine and clopidogrel
- Nitinol (titanium or nickel)
- contrast media
- Blood dyscrasias as defined: leukopenia (WBC < 1000 mm3), thrombocytopenia (platelet count <50,000 cells/mm3), history of bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy, or hypercoagulable states.
- Untreated clinically significant coronary artery disease requiring revascularization.
- Severe left ventricular dysfunction with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 20% by echocardiography, contrast ventriculography, or radionuclide ventriculography.
- End stage renal disease requiring chronic dialysis or creatinine clearance < 20 cc/min.
- Ongoing sepsis, including active endocarditis.
- Any percutaneous coronary or peripheral interventional procedure with a bare metal or drug eluting stent performed within 30 days prior to study procedure.
- Symptomatic carotid or vertebral artery disease or successful treatment of carotid stenosis within 10 weeks of Heart Team assessment.
- Cardiogenic shock manifested by low cardiac output, vasopressor dependence, or mechanical hemodynamic support.
- Recent (within 6 months of Heart Team assessment) cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
- Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding that would preclude anticoagulation.
- Subject refuses a blood transfusion.
- Severe dementia (resulting in either inability to provide informed consent for the study/procedure, prevents independent lifestyle outside of a chronic care facility, or will fundamentally complicate rehabilitation from the procedure or compliance with follow-up visits).
- Estimated life expectancy of less than 12 months due to associated non-cardiac co-morbid conditions.
- Other medical, social, or psychological conditions that in the opinion of the investigator precludes the subject from appropriate consent or adherence to the protocol required follow-ups exams.
- Currently participating in an investigational drug or another device study (excluding registries).
- Evidence of an acute myocardial infarction ≤ 30 days before the study procedure.
- Need for emergency surgery for any reason.
- Liver failure (Child-Pugh class C).
- Subject is pregnant or breast feeding.
Anatomical exclusion criteria:
- Pre-existing prosthetic heart valve in any position.
- Mixed aortic valve disease (aortic stenosis with severe aortic regurgitation).
- Severe mitral regurgitation.
- Severe tricuspid regurgitation.
- Moderate or severe mitral stenosis.
- Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.
- Echocardiographic or Multi-Slice Computed Tomography (MSCT) evidence of intracardiac mass, thrombus, or vegetation.
- Congenital bicuspid or unicuspid valve verified by echocardiography.
For transfemoral or transaxillary (subclavian) access:
- Access vessel diameter < 5.5 mm or <6.0 mm for patent left internal mammary artery (LIMA)