Is TAVI a New Solution?*

M o c t g d r v v r p d w b t t p s D i Conservation of mass is the principle behind the continuity equation (1–3), used commonly for calculation of aortic valve area (AVA) in native aortic stenosis and prosthetic valves. Utilizing 2-dimensional echocardiographic and Doppler data, this equation is the preferred technique to evaluate native and prosthetic valve stenosis. Although there is a body of literature regarding surgically implanted aortic valve replacements (sAVR), data on the hemodynamic profile of the new transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) technique are still scarce. The structure of these valves differs significantly from sAVR, and may offer hydrodynamic advantages for a subgroup of patients.