Effectiveness of TAVR in intermediate-risk patients

Editor's Note

In intermediate-risk patients, outcomes (ie, death from any cause or disabling stroke) of transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) were similar to conventional open aortic-valve replacement, this study finds. The study involved 2,032 patients: 1,011 were randomized to TAVR and 1,021 to open surgery.

Previous studies have shown that survival rates are similar with transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) and open aortic-valve replacement in high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. Increased surgeon experience and enhanced transcatheter valve systems have led to a trend to use TAVR in patients who are at low or intermediate risk.

This is the first randomized study in which TAVR with a second generation valve system was compared with conventional open surgery in intermediate-risk patients.