Transcatheter versus Isolated Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Young High-Risk Patients: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Longer-term and landmark analysis of transcatheter vs. surgical aortic-valve implantation in severe aortic stenosis: a meta-analysis

Background

Previous reports of longer-term outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) focus on higher risk patients and suggest potential temporal changes.

Aims

To evaluate the longer-term and temporal performances of TAVI compared to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

Methods

Randomized controlled trials reporting outcomes with at least 1-year follow-up. The primary outcome was the composite of all-cause death or disabling stroke.

Results

We included 8 trials with 8,749 patients. TAVI was associated with a higher risk of longer-term (5-year) primary outcome compared to SAVR among higher-risk [odds ratio (OR), 1.25; 95% CI, 1.07-1.47] but not lower-risk participants [1.0 (0.77-1.29)]. However, a significant temporal interaction was detected in both risk profiles. TAVI with balloon-expandable valves was associated with a higher risk of longer-term primary outcome compared to SAVR [1.38 (1.2-1.6)], whereas no statistical difference was found with self-expanding valves [1.03 (0.89-1.19)]. There was a significant interaction between the two valve systems, and a temporal interaction was detected in both systems. Overall landmark analysis revealed a lower risk in TAVI within the initial 30 days [0.76 (0.6, 0.96)], comparable between 30 days to 2 years [1.04 (0.85, 1.28)], and higher beyond 2 years [1.36 (1.15-1.61)]. Analysis for all-cause death generated largely similar results.

Conclusions

TAVI was associated with a higher longer-term risk of primary outcome compared to SAVR in higher-risk patients and with balloon-expandable valves. However, a characteristic temporal interaction was documented in all subgroups. Future studies are warranted to test these findings.

Three-Year Outcomes Following TAVR in Younger (<75 Years) Low-Surgical-Risk Severe Aortic Stenosis Patients

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an alternative to surgery in patients with severe aortic stenosis, but data are limited on younger, low-risk patients. This analysis compares outcomes in low-surgical-risk patients aged <75 years receiving TAVR versus surgery.

METHODS

The Evolut Low Risk Trial randomized 1414 low-risk patients to treatment with a supra-annular, self-expanding TAVR or surgery. We compared rates of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke, associated clinical outcomes, and bioprosthetic valve performance at 3 years between TAVR and surgery patients aged <75 years.

RESULTS

In patients <75 years, 352 were randomized to TAVR and 351 to surgery. Mean age was 69.1±4.0 years (minimum 51 and maximum 74); Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality was 1.7±0.6%. At 3 years, all-cause mortality or disabling stroke for TAVR was 5.7% and 8.0% for surgery (P=0.241). Although there was no difference between TAVR and surgery in all-cause mortality, the incidence of disabling stroke was lower with TAVR (0.6%) than surgery (2.9%; P=0.019), while surgery was associated with a lower incidence of pacemaker implantation (7.1%) compared with TAVR (21.0%; P<0.001). Valve reintervention rates (TAVR 1.5%, surgery 1.5%, P=0.962) were low in both groups. Valve performance was significantly better with TAVR than surgery with lower mean aortic gradients (P<0.001) and lower rates of severe prosthesis-patient mismatch (P<0.001). Rates of valve thrombosis and endocarditis were similar between groups. There were no significant differences in rates of residual ≥moderate paravalvular regurgitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-risk patients <75 years treated with supra-annular, self-expanding TAVR had comparable 3-year all-cause mortality and lower disabling stroke compared with patients treated with surgery. There was significantly better valve performance in patients treated with TAVR.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02701283.

Saudi Heart Association/National Heart Center/Saudi Arabian Cardiac Interventional Society/Saudi Society for Cardiac Surgeons/Saudi Cardiac Imaging Group 2023 TAVI Guidelines

Saudi Arabia has seen a significant improvement in its healthcare system over the past four decades resulting in an increase in life-expectancy. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has spread widely in Saudi Arabia and has become a routine procedure in many centers. The expanding clinical indications and the availability of the technology have made it possible for many large and intermediate centers all over the country to commence their own TAVI programs. So, the aim of this document is to standardize TAVI practices in different Saudi Arabian centers through reasonable guidelines based on the evaluation and summarization of the best available evidence. The review committee, composed of different experts in several aspects of the management of patient undergoing TAVI, based their recommendations on the reviewed and analyzed evidence and the class and level of recommendations were discussed until a consensus was reached by the panel.

A retrospective study on the trends in surgical aortic valve replacement outcomes in the post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement era

Background and Aims

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is the mainstay of treatment of inoperable and severe high-risk aortic stenosis and is noninferior to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for low-risk and intermediate-risk patients as well. We aim to compare the valve size, area, and transaortic mean gradients in SAVR patients before and after the implementation of TAVR since being approved by the Food and Drug Administration  in 2011.

Methods

Patients who underwent a bioprosthetic SAVR placement were divided into two groups based on the date of procedure: the early pre-TAVR implementation group (years 2011-2012) and the contemporary post-TAVR group (years 2019-2020). The primary endpoint was the mean gradient across the aortic valve within 16 months of surgery. The secondary endpoints included the difference in valve size and various aortic valve echocardiographic variables.

Results

One hundred and thirty patients had their valves replaced in the years 2011-2012 and 134 in the years 2019-2020. The early group had a significantly higher mean gradient (median of 13 mmHg [interquartile range, IQR: 9.3-18] vs. 10 mmHg [IQR: 7.5-13.1], p = 0.001) and a smaller median effective orifice area index (0.8 cm2/m2 [IQR: 0.6-1] vs. 1.1 cm2/m2 [IQR: 0.8-1.3], p < 0.001). The median valve size was significantly smaller in the early group (median of 21 mm [IQR: 21-23] vs. 23 mm [IQR: 22.5-25], p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In the contemporary era, surgical patients receive larger valves which translates into lower mean gradients, larger valve area, and lower rates of patient-prosthesis mismatch than in previous years before the routine introduction of TAVR.