Early TAVR for asymptomatic severe AS cuts costs, improves outcomes
The first health economics impact study of early transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) treating asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) presented at PCR London Valves 2025, showed significant economic benefits alongside improved clinical outcomes. The study, led by the York Health Economics Consortium, included an economic analysis from nine European countries.
The study found lifetime per-patient savings from early TAVR ranging from about $2,334 in the UK, to $19,607 in Switzerland. Across Europe, the researchers said the annual healthcare savings could exceed $576 million (€500 million) in the long term. These savings were mainly because of fewer strokes and hospitalizations compared to the traditional approach of waiting for patients' health to decline before intervening.
The study looked at both a comparison of cost savings and the the impact on quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). All nine countries saw gains in QALYs, with the U.K. having the largest.
“These new data reinforce the need to move away from a ‘wait-and-see’ approach for patients with asymptomatic severe AS. In Europe, approximately 100,000 patients suffer from asymptomatic severe AS every year. Treating patients earlier, before symptoms develop, not only improves clinical outcomes, but also optimizes healthcare costs and resource utilization,” explained Philippe Genereux, MD, director of the structural heart program at Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute, Morristown Medical Center, New Jersey, in a statement. “AS patients, especially when asymptomatic, often go undiagnosed and untreated, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. This analysis underscores the importance of screening and detection strategies to improve referral pathways and patient outcomes, while reducing healthcare costs.”
This economics study was based on data from the EARLY TAVR trial, which used the Edwards Lifesciences Sapien 3 device and for which Genereux served as the principal investigator. The findings also support the updated ESC/EACTS 2025 guidelines, which now recommend earlier intervention in asymptomatic severe AS patients.
The Sapien 3 is the only platform approved for treating asymptomatic severe AS, receiving a CE mark extension in July 2025.
Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: [email protected]