Kardiochirurgia i Torakochirurgia Polska

Abstract

2/2026 vol. 23
Review paper

Introducing palliative care into the management of patients disqualified from transcatheter aortic valve implantation

  1. Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, 10th Military Research Hospital and Polyclinic, Bydgoszcz, Poland

  2. Department of Palliative Care, Faculty of Health Science, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland

  3. Department of Geriatrics, Faculty of Health Science, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland

  4. Faculty of Medicine, University of Science and Technology, Bydgoszcz, Poland

  5. Department of Toxicology and Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland

Kardiochirurgia i Torakochirurgia Polska 2026; 23 (2): 163-169

Online publish date: 2026/07/21
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This narrative review examines when patients disqualified from transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) should be referred to palliative care, offering practical guidance for Heart Team decision-making. A targeted search of PubMed and Scopus (2010–2025) was conducted, integrating palliative care practice and brief clinical vignettes. Recurrent triggers for palliative referral include advanced frailty likely to limit recovery, multimorbidity with refractory symptoms, patient or family preference for comfort-focused treatment, and anatomical or physiological unsuitability for TAVI confirmed by a multidisciplinary Heart Team. Best-practice themes include early symptom-directed pharmacotherapy, comprehensive psychosocial and spiritual support, explicit documentation of care goals, and coordinated transitions to community or home-based services. Early, structured collaboration among cardiology, cardiac surgery, and palliative medicine can optimise quality of life, minimise futile interventions, and ensure continuity of care in patients with TAVI-ineligible severe aortic stenosis. Prospective studies should validate integration models and quality indicators to ensure their effectiveness.

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