Loading...
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for aortic stenosis is being performed increasingly in North America and Europe, usually in patients deemed to be at high risk for complications with surgical valve replacement.
A U.S. registry reveals that TAVR was performed in about 4600, 9000, and 12,800 patients in 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively (the registry excludes 10,000 additional procedures done investigationally). In 2014, patients' median age was 83, and their overall health status was generally poor. Periprocedural complications included need for pacemaker (11%), atrial fibrillation (6%), major bleeding (4%), vascular complications (4%), and stroke (2%). In-hospital mortality was 4%. At discharge, 5% had moderate-to-severe aortic…