Why is this study important?

This study addresses the real-world data in transcatheter valve procedures in a relatively healthy population. This group has typically been recommended surgical aortic valve replacement in both surgical and cardiology guidelines.

What question was this study supposed to answer?

This study looks to better characterize the group of patients receiving transcatheter valve replacement. The study looks at several anatomic and clinical characteristics to better define who is typically undergoing transaortic valve replacement (TAVR). Previously, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score risk has had little utility in truly identifying risk. This study looks at a real-world application of the TAVR procedure in a group with isolated aortic stenosis.

What did the study show?

This study showed that patients who had previously undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) were highly predictive of receiving a TAVR procedure in a < 65-year-old cohort. Patients with anatomic bicuspid disease were more likely to receive surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) procedures. These findings confirmed that clinical risk assessment rather than STS risk plays a very important role in matching patients to their valve replacement procedure.