Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement: A Lasting Option for Selected Patients

The clinical benefit of TAVR in inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis is sustained for up to 2 years.

In the manufacturer-sponsored PARTNER trial, transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) significantly improved 1-year outcomes compared with standard treatment in 358 high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (mean age 83; mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons [STS] risk score, 12%) who were not suitable candidates for surgical aortic-valve replacement — at a modest cost of increased vascular complications, bleeding, and periprocedural stroke (JW Cardiol Sep 22 2010). Now, the PARTNER investigators report 2-year follow-up results in this cohort. Standard treatment included balloon valvuloplasty, surgery, and medical care.

At 2 years, the rate of death from any cause was significantly lower with TAVR than with standard therapy (43% vs. 68…

Reviewing Author

Beat J. Meyer, MD

Disclosures

Leadership positions in professional societiesBern Heart Foundation (President); International Academy of Medicine, Bern, Switzerland (Director)

Beat J. Meyer, MD

Disclosures

Leadership positions in professional societiesBern Heart Foundation (President); International Academy of Medicine, Bern, Switzerland (Director)

Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement: A Lasting Option for Selected Patients

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Reviewing Author