Conventional vs. Transapical vs. Transfemoral Aortic Valve Replacement - Real World Comparison of 3,751 Patients

Abstract

Background and Hypothesis: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an established method in high-risk patients. Two aspects of this procedure are currently under discussion: 1.) Do the data acquired from randomized studies and registers justify expansion of the procedure to include younger and healthier patients? 2.) Is the transfemoral approach superior to the transapical approach with regard to mortality and periprocedural complications? Against this background we examined the mortality and morbidity of all patients who received an isolated conventional, transapical or transfemoral aortic valve replacement in accordance with the criteria of the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2.