Balloon- or Self-Expandable TAVI: Clinical Equipoise?

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become an effective treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis and high surgical risk or contraindications for surgical aortic valve replacement. Most of the currently available prostheses employ either balloon-expandable or self-expandable designs. Presently, there is a paucity of data directly comparing these two widely used prosthesis types. Forthcoming trials will reveal whether newer designs of both technologies translate into fewer complications and better outcomes, with expansion of TAVI indications. This manuscript reviews features and clinical outcomes of balloon- and self-expanding prostheses, summarising current data from registries and trials.