More — But Not Enough — Data on TAVR

Although adjudicated comparisons of observational data using propensity-score analysis may reduce bias from confounding variables, a randomized study design would yield unbiased estimations of treatment effects.

Findings from PARTNER 2A trial — presented as a late-breaking clinical trial at the American College of Cardiology 2016 Scientific Sessions and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine — suggested that transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) with the SAPIEN XT device is a reasonable alternative to surgical aortic-valve replacement (SAVR) in intermediate-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (NEJM JW Cardiol May 2016 and N Engl J Med 2016 Apr 2; [e-pub]).

A few days earlier, an observational study — PARTNER 2–SAPIEN 3 — was published as a fast-track paper in the European Heart Journal, on inoperable or intermediate-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR with the SAPIEN 3 device. This regi…

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)

More — But Not Enough — Data on TAVR

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Reviewing Author