A paradigm shift from surgical to transcutaneous aortic valve replacement (PARTNER 3 and Evolut Low Risk trials)

Severe aortic stenosis is a relatively common clinical condition, becoming more common with advancing age, and the traditional treatment has been surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Almost a decade ago transcutaneous aortic valve replacement (TAVR), was introduced as an alternative treatment to medical therapy alone in patients who were considered too high risk for conventional SAVR. A randomized trial published in 20101 showed a dramatic reduction in mortality at 1 year in these patients receiving TAVR in comparison to those only receiving medical therapy. One year later, it was reported that TAVR resulted in superior outcomes to SAVR in patients who were considered high risk but not ineligible for surgery.2 Approximately 5  years later, TAVR was shown to be at least equivalent to SAVR in patients who were intermediate risk for operation.3
Source: Cardiovascular Research - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research