ADVANCE Direct Aortic (ADVANCE DA)

Patients with severe aortic stenosis who are scheduled for an elective transcatheter aortic valve implantation and who are selected (e.g. because of an calcified femoral artery) to receive the CoreValve® device via direct aortic access.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis requiring treatment
2. Acceptable candidate for elective treatment with the Medtronic CoreValve® System according to the most recent version of the Medtronic CoreValve® Instructions For Use
3. 21 years of age or older
4. Patient is willing and able to comply with all protocol-specified follow-up evaluations
5. The patient or legal representative has been informed of the nature of the study and has consented to participate, and has authorized the collection and release of his/her medical information by signing a consent form ("Patient Informed Consent Form")
6. Patient will receive the CoreValve® device via direct aortic approach TAVI -

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Known hypersensitivity or contraindication to aspirin, heparin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, nitinol, or sensitivity to contrast media which cannot be adequately pre-medicated
2. Sepsis, including active endocarditis
3. Recent myocardial infarction (<30 days)
4. Left ventricular or atrial thrombus by echocardiography
5. Uncontrolled atrial fibrillation
6. Mitral or tricuspid valvular insufficiency (>grade II)
7. Previous aortic valve replacement (mechanical valve or stented bioprosthetic valve)
8. Evolutive or recent (within 6 months of implant procedure) cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or transient ischemic attack (TIA)

9. Patients with:

   1. Vascular conditions that make insertion and endovascular access to the aortic valve impossible, or
   2. Symptomatic carotid or vertebral arterial narrowing (>70%) disease, or
   3. Thoracic aortic aneurysm in the path of delivery system
10. Bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy
11. Patient refuses blood transfusion
12. Estimated life expectancy of less than 12 months unless TAVI is performed
13. Creatine clearance <20 mL/min
14. Active gastritis or peptic ulcer disease
15. Pregnancy or intent to become pregnant during study follow up

16. Patient is participating in another trial that may influence the results of this study

    -