TAVI funding extended to low-risk patients

This follows MSAC advice that the procedure for severe aortic stenosis is safe and effective out to 10 years

Almost all patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis will soon be eligible for publicly funded transcatheter aortic valve implantation even if they are at low risk for open heart surgery.

From 1 July, access to the minimally invasive procedure will be expanded to include those at low risk of death or morbidity from surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) with the creation of new MBS item 38522.