Current Advances in Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of TAVR-Associated Infective Endocarditis: A Narrative Review

With ongoing technological advancements and device innovations, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become a well-established therapeutic approach for managing aortic stenosis and regurgitation. As indications for TAVR expand, particularly into younger patient populations, the incidence of TAVR-associated infective endocarditis (TAVR-IE) has concurrently increased. Although the reported incidence of TAVR-IE remains relatively low (0.3%–2.0% per 100 patient-years), its clinical outcomes are notably poor, with mortality rates considerably higher than those observed in general infective endocarditis (IE). Moreover, the microbiological profile of TAVR-IE differs distinctly from surgical aortic valve replacement-associated IE (SAVR-IE), predominantly involving Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and coagulase-negative staphylococci. This review systematically summarizes the epidemiology, diagnosis, microbial etiology, prevention strategies, clinical prognosis, and management approaches for TAVR-IE, providing clinical insights and identifying key areas for future research.