Self-Expanding versus Balloon Expandable Valve – Are we at the Cusp of Delivering a Perfect Transcatheter Aortic Valve?

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become a leading and dominant treatment alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for high- and intermediate-risk patients with aortic stenosis.1 –5 The follow up trials for both the core valve as well as the balloon-expanding valve showed similar mid-term survival and stroke rates in high-risk patients following TAVR vs SAVR.6–8 With the recent results of the PARTNER 3 and EVOLUT low risk trials, it is evident that, among patients with s evere aortic stenosis with low surgical risks, the rate of composite death, stroke and rehospitalization at 1 year was significantly lower with balloon expandable TAVR and non-inferior with self-expanding TAVR vs SAVR.
Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research