[Comment] Bioprosthetic surgical and transcatheter heart valve thrombosis

Excellent outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) have been experienced by patients with aortic stenosis at high and intermediate risk of surgery.1 Findings from large randomised trials1,2 have shown survival with TAVR that is similar to or improved compared with bioprosthetic surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), and very low stroke rates have been observed with new-generation devices. Investigators of echocardiographic follow-up studies3 have consistently reported low transvalvular gradients up to 5 years after TAVR and SAVR, with slightly greater aortic valve areas after TAVR than after SAVR.

Source: LANCET - March 19, 2017 Category: General Medicine Authors: Jeroen J Bax, Gregg W Stone Tags: Comment Source Type: research