TAVR and surgery tied to similar 5-year outcomes

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) are associated with comparable five-year rates of all-cause death or stroke among intermediate- and high-risk patients, according to a new meta-analysis published in the American College of Cardiology.

The study’s authors examined four different randomized control trials (RCTs): the PARTNER-1 trial, CoreValve HR trial, PARTNER-2 trial and recently-completed SURTAVI trial. All RCTs examined the five-year outcomes of TAVR and SAVR.

While the largest RCT included more than 2,000 patients, the smallest included nearly 700 patients. The patient populations ranged from 47% male to 57% male, and average patient ages ranged from 80 years old to 84 years old.

“Our result showed a similar rate of all-cause death or stroke between TAVR and SAVR in patients with intermediate or high surgical risk patients, which was consistent with short-term outcomes in the same population,” wrote lead author Yujiro Yokoyama, MD, of the department of surgery at St. Luke's University Health Network, and colleagues. “The analyses of other outcomes are warranted when more detailed outcomes of the SURTAVI trial are available. Similarly, results of longer follow-up, as well as those in low surgical risk patients are needed to determine optimal treatment in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.”

Azeem Latib, MD, one of the study’s co-authors, has a working relationship with Medtronic, Abbott, Boston Scientific and Philips. All other authors have no conflicts of interest.

Read the full study here.

Michael Walter
Michael Walter, Managing Editor

Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.

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