Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement Research Articles

TREATMENT OF SEVERE AORTIC STENOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH LOW SURGICAL RISK

Following the first implantation of a percutaneous valve in 2002, two of the leading manufacturers of biological valve prostheses developed percutaneous aortic platforms, which have promoted transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) as an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). In the last decade, both companies have funded six randomized studies grouping patients according to surgical risk and comparing the results between the two therapies. None of these studies has demonstrated the superiority of one technique over the other in terms of 5-year mortality. In general, patients who received percutaneous valves suffered a higher incidence of the need for pacemaker implantation, perivalvular leaks, and vascular complications, while surgical patients suffered more bleeding and atrial fibrillation. Following these results, the use of TAVI in young and low-risk patients has exponentially increased.

Differences in TAVR Utilization in Aortic Stenosis Among Patients With and Without Psychiatric Comorbidities

BackgroundTranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is one of the primary treatment modalities for aortic stenosis (AS). Disparities affecting certain groups could result in lower utilization of this life-saving procedure. This study aims to investigate the effects of associated psychiatric conditions on the likelihood of TAVR in hospitalized AS patients. MethodsOur retrospective observational study used the National Inpatient Sample to identify hospitalized patients with AS. Using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification patients were stratified into those without psychiatric comorbidities, and those with psychiatric comorbidities. The primary outcome was comparing the odds of TAVR between AS patients with and without psychiatric comorbidities. The secondary outcome assessed the association between TAVR and specific psychiatric comorbidities, using multivariable logistic regression while adjusting for prespecified covariates. ResultsThe study included 1,549,785 AS patients, of which 26% had psychiatric comorbidities. Patients with any psychiatric comorbidity had a significantly reduced likelihood of TAVR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.76; P < .001). For 2 psychiatric comorbidities, (aOR, 0.80; P < .001), and for more than 2 comorbid mental disorders (aOR, 0.46; P < .001). Lower TAVR odds were observed in patients with depression (aOR, 0.79), anxiety (aOR, 0.79), bipolar disorder (aOR, 0.74), substance use (aOR, 0.73), and psychotic disorders (aOR, 0.61), with P values < .001. There was no significant difference in the odds of surgical aortic valve replacement between those with and without psychiatric comorbidities. ConclusionsAS patients with psychiatric conditions face reduced TAVR likelihood. Further research is needed to confirm, explore, and address factors contributing to this disparity.

Neurological Complications After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Review.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become the dominant procedural modality for aortic valve replacement in the United States. The reported rates of neurological complications in patients undergoing TAVR have changed over time and are dependent on diagnostic definitions and modalities. Most strokes after TAVR are likely embolic in origin, and the incidence of stroke has decreased over time. Studies have yielded conflicting results when comparing stroke rates between TAVR and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), especially due to differences in diagnostic criteria and neurocognitive testing. In this narrative review, we summarize the available data on the incidence of stroke, delirium, and cognitive decline after TAVR and highlight potential areas in need of future research. We also discuss silent cerebral ischemic lesions (SCILs) and their association with a decline in postoperative neurocognitive status after TAVR. Finally, we describe that the risk of delirium and postoperative decline is increased when nonfemoral access routes are used, and we highlight the need for standardized imaging and valid, repeatable methodologies to assess cognitive changes after TAVR.

Left ventricular remodeling following transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement: a speckle tracking study

Left ventricular remodeling following transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement: a speckle tracking study

Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement Using a Porcine Model: A Low-Cost Simulation for Surgical Trainees.

Simulation experiences are valuable to the training of future successful surgeons. These experiences introduce trainees to operational concepts through hands-on engagement within a low-stress environment to promote skill, information retention, and increased competency for future success in real-life scenarios. The study aimed to develop a low-cost, reproducible surgical simulation for teaching aortic valve replacement using porcine models. This study employed a single-center educational workshop design to provide trainees with a comprehensive wet laboratory experience in surgical aortic valve replacement using a porcine model. The simulation involved step-by-step procedures using porcine hearts in a wet lab environment, emphasizing specific surgical techniques such as suturing, knot tying, and valve replacement. Simulated valves were created using insulation foaming and aluminum wiring. The study was conducted at a southeastern medical school's wet lab. Thirty-eight preclinical medical students participated. The simulation was designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the steps involved in aortic valve replacement using porcine models. It emphasized the importance of teamwork, fundamental surgical skills, and effective communication within a surgical setting. The low-cost surgical simulation allowed trainees to learn technical skills that could be tailored to their proficiency level. Simulation for cardiothoracic procedures is limited by monetary spending and the availability of adequate materials to create a beneficial learning experience. This low-cost simulation allows resource-limited institutions to provide their students an additional opportunity to practice fundamental surgical principles such as suturing.

Can mechanical heart valves perform similarly to tissue valves? An in vitro study

Current surgical aortic valve (AV) replacement options include bioprosthetic and mechanical heart valves (MHVs), each with inherent limitations. Bioprosthetic valves offer superior hemodynamics but suffer from durability issues, typically initiating deterioration within 7–8 years. MHVs, while durable, necessitate lifelong anticoagulation therapy, presenting risks such as severe bleeding and thromboembolic events. The need for anticoagulants is caused by non-physiological flow through the hinge area during the closed phase and large spikes of regional backflow velocity (RBV) during the closing phase that produces high shear events. This study introduces the iValve, a novel MHV designed to combine the hemodynamic benefits of bioprosthetic valves with the durability of MHVs without requiring anticoagulation. The iValve features eye-like leaflets, a saddle-shaped housing, and an optimized hinge design to enhance blood flow and minimize thrombotic risk. Fabricated using 6061-T6 aluminum and polyether ether ketone (PEEK), twelve iValve iterations were evaluated for their opening and closing dynamics. The reported top-performing prototypes demonstrated competitive performance against industry standards. The proposed iValve prototype exhibited a mean RBV of −4.34 m/s with no spikes in RBV, performing similarly to bioprosthetic valves and significantly outperforming existing MHVs. The iValve’s optimized design showed a 7–10% reduction in closing time and a substantial decrease in RBV spikes, potentially reducing the need for anticoagulation therapy. This study highlights the iValve’s potential to revolutionize prosthetic heart valve technology by offering a durable, hemodynamically superior solution that mitigates the drawbacks of current MHVs.

Exploring Optimal Strategies for Surgical Access in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has revolutionised the management of severe aortic stenosis, particularly for patients deemed high risk or inoperable for traditional surgical aortic valve replacement. The transfemoral approach is the preferred route whenever feasible, attributed to its minimally invasive nature, reduced procedural morbidity, and shorter recovery times. In total, 80-90% of TAVI procedures are performed via the transfemoral route. However, anatomical constraints such as severe peripheral arterial disease, small vessel diameter, or significant vessel tortuosity can preclude the use of this access site. In such cases, alternative access strategies must be considered to ensure the successful implantation of the valve. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the various surgical techniques available for TAVI access, exploring the rationale, technical aspects, and challenges associated with each method. We will explore alternative routes, including the transapical, transaortic, transaxillary, and transcarotid approaches, highlighting their respective benefits and limitations.

Bicuspid Aortic Valve dilemma: TAVI or SAVR? Insights from the NOTION-2 trial.

The Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention-2 (NOTION-2) trial is the first randomized controlled trial to compare transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in low-risk patients, specifically focusing on relatively younger patients and those with bicuspid valves. It randomized 370 patients (mean age 71years) to assess outcomes at 1year. Results indicated a higher composite primary endpoint rate for TAVI (10.2%) compared to SAVR (7.1%) in the overall cohort, with even more pronounced differences in patients with bicuspid valves (14.3% for TAVI vs. 3.9% for SAVR). The risk of death or disabling stroke at 1year was also three times higher with TAVI.

Persistent Gastrointestinal Bleeding after Aortic Valve Replacement in Heyde's Syndrome.

Heyde's syndrome (HS) represents an association between aortic stenosis and intestinal angiodysplasias, and it has been demonstrated that acquired von Willebrand disease plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of this syndrome. In patients with HS, von Willebrand factor deficiency represents an additional risk factor, further contributing to the risk of bleeding and anemia. We present the case of an 86-year-old patient diagnosed with HS and von Willebrand deficiency in 2018. Four years prior, the patient underwent surgical aortic valve replacement. Since then, she has been receiving chronic oral anticoagulation therapy with a vitamin K antagonist. The patient was admitted to the Internal Medicine Clinic due to semi-solid dark stools, diffuse abdominal pain, and asthenia. Upon examination, the patient presented with an altered general status and clinical signs suggestive of anemia. Laboratory findings revealed anemia with elevated INR and aPTT values. Colonic angiodysplasias were identified during a colonoscopy, although no sources of active bleeding were detected. On the 9th day of hospitalization, the patient experienced an episode of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The pharmacological management was adjusted, and argon plasma coagulation was recommended. Following treatment of the angiodysplastic lesions, the patient's clinical evolution was favorable, with the correction of the anemia.

Guidelines Versus Practice: Surgical Versus Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Adults < 60 Years

Consensus guidelines recommend surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) over transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis aged ≤65 years. This analysis evaluates clinical practice and outcomes of TAVR and SAVR in patients aged ≤60 years. We identified 2360 patients aged ≤60 years, including 523 TAVR (22.2%) and 1837 SAVR (77.8%) procedures, from 2013 through 2021 using the California Department of Health Care Access and Information database. The median follow-up time was 2.4 years (interquartile range, 1.1-4.5 years) after TAVR and 4.9 years (interquartile range, 2.8-6.9 years) after SAVR. The primary outcome was 5-year survival. Secondary outcomes included cumulative incidences of reoperation, endocarditis, stroke, and heart failure readmissions with death as a competing risk, compared using propensity score matching. Between 2013 and 2021 TAVR rates in patients aged ≤60 years increased from 7.2% to 45.7% (annual increase of 4.7%, P < .001). Mortality at 30 days was similar for SAVR and TAVR (0.2% vs 0.4%, P= .20). In 358 propensity-matched pairs, TAVR was associated with an increased hazard of 5-year mortality (hazard ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1-3.7; P= .02). There was no significant difference in the cumulative incidences of reoperation (2.2% vs 3.8%, P= .25), stroke (1.1% vs 0.8%, P= .39), endocarditis (0.8% vs 0.4%, P= .38), and heart failure readmission (1.9% vs 1.2%, P= .10). TAVR use approaches SAVR use in patients aged ≤60 years in California and is associated with significantly worse 5-year survival. This may indicate a need for randomized trials to inform best practice recommendations.

Sex-related differences among patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement-a propensity score matched study.

We investigated the sex-related difference in characteristics and 2-year outcomes after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) by propensity-score matching (PSM). Data from 2 prospective registries, the INSPIRIS RESILIA Durability Registry (INDURE) and IMPACT, were merged, resulting in a total of 933 patients: 735 males and 253 females undergoing first-time SAVR. The PSM was performed to assess the impact of sex on the SAVR outcomes, yielding 433 males and 243 females with comparable baseline characteristics. Females had a lower body mass index (median 27.1 vs 28.0 kg/m2; P = 0.008), fewer bicuspid valves (52% vs 59%; P = 0.036), higher EuroSCORE II (mean 2.3 vs 1.8%; P < 0.001) and Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (mean 1.6 vs 0.9%; P < 0.001), were more often in New York Heart Association functional class III/IV (47% vs 30%; P < 0.001) and angina Canadian Cardiovascular Society III/IV (8.2% vs 4.4%; P < 0.001), but had a lower rate of myocardial infarction (1.9% vs 5.2%; P = 0.028) compared to males. These differences vanished after PSM, except for the EuroSCORE II and Society of Thoracic Surgeons scores, which were still significantly higher in females. Furthermore, females required smaller valves (median diameter 23.0 vs 25.0 mm, P < 0.001). There were no differences in the length of hospital stay (median 8 days) or intensive care unit stay (median 24 vs 25 hours) between the 2 sexes. At 2 years, post-SAVR outcomes were comparable between males and females, even after PSM. Despite females presenting with a significantly higher surgical risk profile, 2-year outcomes following SAVR were comparable between males and females.

Four-year outcomes after transcatheter or contemporary surgical aortic valve replacement from the Evolut Low Risk trial

Four-year outcomes after transcatheter or contemporary surgical aortic valve replacement from the Evolut Low Risk trial

Quantification of Aortic Valve Fibrotic and Calcific Tissue from CTA: Prospective Comparison with Histology.

Background Quantifying the fibrotic and calcific composition of the aortic valve at CT angiography (CTA) can be useful for assessing disease severity and outcomes of patients with aortic stenosis (AS); however, it has not yet been validated against quantitative histologic findings. Purpose To compare quantification of aortic valve fibrotic and calcific tissue composition at CTA versus histologic examination. Materials and Methods This prospective study included patients who underwent CTA before either surgical aortic valve replacement for AS or orthotopic heart transplant (controls) at two centers between January 2022 and April 2023. At CTA, fibrotic and calcific tissue composition were quantified using automated Gaussian mixture modeling applied to the density of aortic valve tissue components, calculated as [(volume/total tissue volume) × 100]. For histologic evaluation, explanted valve cusps were stained with Movat pentachrome as well as hematoxylin and eosin. For each cusp, three 5-µm slices were obtained. Fibrotic and calcific tissue composition were quantified using a validated artificial intelligence tool and averaged across the aortic valve. Correlations were assessed using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Intermodality and interobserver variability were measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots. Results Twenty-nine participants (mean age, 63 years ± 10 [SD]; 23 male) were evaluated: 19 with severe AS, five with moderate AS, and five controls. Fibrocalcific tissue composition strongly correlated with histologic findings (r = 0.92; P < .001). The agreement between CTA and histologic findings for fibrocalcific tissue quantification was excellent (ICC, 0.94; P = .001), with underestimation of fibrotic composition at CTA (bias, -4.9%; 95% limits of agreement [LoA]: -18.5%, 8.7%). Finally, there was excellent interobserver repeatability for fibrotic (ICC, 0.99) and calcific (ICC, 0.99) aortic valve tissue volume measurements, with no evidence of a difference in measurements between readers (bias, -0.04 cm3 [95% LoA: -0.27 cm3, 0.19 cm3] and 0.02 cm3 [95% LoA: -0.14 cm3, 0.19 cm3], respectively). Conclusion In a direct comparison, standardized quantitative aortic valve tissue characterization at CTA showed excellent concordance with histologic findings and demonstrated interobserver reproducibility. Clinical trial registration no. NCT06136689 Published under a CC BY 4.0 license. Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Almeida in this issue.

Short-term outcomes after surgical aortic valve replacement in elderly patients - results of a comparative cohort study

BackgroundWith the introduction of transcatheter aortic valve implantation, the role of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in elderly patients has been called into question. We investigated the short-term outcomes of SAVR in the elderly population.MethodsAll patients aged ≥ 70 years who underwent isolated SAVR in our centre between 2008 and 2017 were included in the study. Survival at 30 days and 1 year were compared for patients aged 70–79 years (n = 809) versus patients aged ≥ 80 years (n = 322). Factors associated with poorer survival outcomes were identified using multivariable Cox regression analysis.ResultsPatients aged 70–79 years and patients aged ≥ 80 years had similar survival rates at 30 days (98.1% vs. 98.4%, p = 0.732) and 1 year (96.0% vs. 94.1%, p = 0.162) post-SAVR. This remained true after multivariable adjustment. Risk factors for 30 day all-cause mortality included insulin dependent diabetes (HR 6.17, 95% CI 1.32–28.92, p = 0.021) and increasing cardiopulmonary bypass time (HR 2.72, 95% CI 1.89–3.91, p < 0.0001). Significant risk factors for 1 year all-cause mortality were New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV (HR 6.25, 95% CI 1.55–25.24, p = 0.010) and longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (HR 1.94, 95% CI 1.40–2.69, p < 0.0001). Similar results were obtained for cardiac-specific mortality.ConclusionsShort-term outcomes of SAVR are excellent in elderly patients and age alone is not a predictor of poorer outcomes. However, the increased risk of mortality in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes and those with severe functional impairment (NYHA class IV) should be carefully considered when selecting patients for SAVR in this elderly population.

Failure of Surgical Aortic Valve Prostheses: An Analysis of Heart Team Decisions and Postoperative Outcomes.

Objectives: To analyze Heart Team decisions and outcomes following failure of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) prostheses. Methods: Patients undergoing re-operations following index SAVR (Redo-SAVR) and those undergoing valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV-TAVR) following SAVR were included in this study. Patients who underwent index SAVR and/or Redo-SAVR for endocarditis were excluded. Data are presented as medians and 25th-75th percentiles, or absolute numbers and percentages. Outcomes were analyzed in accordance to the VARC-3 criteria. Results: Between 01/2015 and 03/2021, 53 patients underwent Redo-SAVR, 103 patients ViV-TAVR. Mean EuroSCORE II was 5.7% (3.5-8.5) in the Redo-SAVR group and 9.2% (5.4-13.6) in the ViV group. In the Redo-SAVR group, 12 patients received aortic root enlargement (22.6%). Length of hospital and ICU stay was longer in the Redo-SAVR group (p < 0.001; p < 0.001), PGmax and PGmean were lower in the Redo-SAVR group as compared to the ViV-TAVR group (18 mmHg (10-30) vs. 26 mmHg (19-38), p < 0.001) (9 mmHg (6-15) vs. 15 mmHg (9-21), p < 0.001). A higher rate of paravalvular leakage was seen in the ViV-TAVR group (p = 0.013). VARC-3 Early Safety were comparable between the two populations (p = 0.343). Survival at 1 year and 5 years was 82% and 36% in the ViV-TAVR cohort and 84% and 77% in the Redo-SAVR cohort. The variables were patient age (OR 1.061; [95% CI 1.020-1.104], p = 0.004), coronary heart disease (OR 2.648; [95% CI 1.160-6.048], p = 0.021), and chronic renal insufficiency (OR 2.711; [95% CI 1.160-6.048], p = 0.021) showed a significant correlation to ViV-TAVR. Conclusions: Heart Team decisions are crucial in the treatment of patients with degenerated aortic bioprostheses and lead to a low mortality in both treatment paths thanks to patient-specific therapy planning. ViV-TAVR offers a treatment for elderly or intermediate-risk profile patients with comparable short-term mortality. However, this therapy is associated with increased pressure gradients and a high prevalence of paravalvular leakage. Redo-SAVR enables the surgical treatment of concomitant cardiac pathologies and allows anticipation for later VIV-TAVR by implanting the largest possible valve prostheses.

Burden of hospitalization during the first year following transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement

Hospitalizations are a major burden for both patients and society but are potentially preventable. We examined the one-year hospitalization burden in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and compared hospitalization rates and patterns with those undergoing isolated surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Using Danish nationwide registries, we identified patients who underwent first-time TAVR and isolated SAVR (2008-2019), respectively. Subsequent hospitalizations were classified as cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular according to discharge diagnosis codes. Patients undergoing TAVR (N=4,921) were older and had more comorbidities than those undergoing SAVR (N=5,220). There were 5,725 and 4,426 hospitalizations within the first year after discharge in the TAVR and SAVR group, respectively. During the one-year follow-up period post-TAVR, 46.6% were not admitted, 25.4% were admitted once, 12.6% twice, and 15.4% three times or more. The corresponding proportions in patients undergoing SAVR were 55.3%, 25.1%, 10.0%, and 9.5%, respectively. Among patients with ≥1 hospitalization following TAVR, 50.3% had a total length of all hospital stays between 1-7days, 19.0% 8-14days, 18.0% 15-30days, 9.9% 31-60days, and 2.8% ≥61days. The corresponding proportions for patients undergoing SAVR were 58.6%, 17.2%, 13.1%, 7.4%, and 3.7%, respectively. Compared with patients undergoing SAVR, those undergoing TAVR had a lower early (day0-30: HR 0.89 [95%CI,0.80-0.98]), but a higher late hospitalization rate (day31-365: 1.46 [1.32-1.60]). The one-year hospitalization burden following TAVR is substantial. Compared with patients undergoing isolated SAVR, those undergoing TAVR had a lower early, but a higher late hospitalization rate - a difference that likely reflects unmeasured differences in the patient cohorts.

Trends in mortality among the geriatric population undergoing Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and potential racial disparities: a 20-year perspective via the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample.

Racial disparities in cardiovascular conditions are well documented. Whether similar race-based discrepancies in health outcomes also exist among elderly patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for aortic stenosis remains understudied. We abstracted data from the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample over a 20-year period from 2001 to 2020 using specific ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. We included patients aged ≥ 60 and ≤ 80 years with races recorded as White, African American, or Hispanic at the time of their hospitalization for surgery. We analyzed and reported the baseline characteristics, risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality, and complications stratified by race. Of 420,181 patients studied, 90.0% identified as White, 4.0% as African American and 6.0% as Hispanic. Despite a decrease in overall in-hospital mortality rates from 3.8% between 2001-2005 to 1.8% between 2016-2020, African Americans had higher odds of all-cause in-hospital deaths compared to Whites (aOR = 1.390, P < 0.001). Additionally, they were more likely to experience cardiogenic shock (aOR = 1.241, P < 0.001) and acute kidney injury (aOR = 1.314, P < 0.001) as well as more likely to require organ support such as IABP use (aOR = 1.336, P < 0.001) or invasive mechanical ventilation (aOR = 1.342, P < 0.001). Interestingly, African Americans were less likely to report events of acute ischemic stroke compared to Whites (aOR = 0.852, P < 0.001). Despite a reassuring reduction in overall in-hospital mortality rates of geriatric patients undergoing SAVR for aortic stenosis, racial disparities in health outcomes remain pervasive with minorities more likely to report higher in-hospital morbidity and mortality.

Effect of Patient Prosthesis Mismatch on Clinical Outcomes following Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

Effect of Patient Prosthesis Mismatch on Clinical Outcomes following Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

Comparative Outcomes of Surgical and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Meta-Analysis and Parametric Extrapolation of Clinical Trials

IntroductionWe aimed to pool randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and extrapolate pooled time-to-event data to compare long-term outcomes. MethodsAn electronic database search was performed for RCTs comparing SAVR with TAVR. The most current longest follow-up data for each RCT were included. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Survival data were pooled for Kaplan–Meier analysis as well as parametric modeling with extrapolation. ResultsSeven RCTs comprising 7774 patients were included. Mean valve gradient at 5 y was comparable between SAVR [11 mmHg (3.7; 18.3)] and TAVR [8.1 mmHg (1.9; 14.3)] (P = 0.38). TAVR had a higher mean valve area at 30 d, 1 y, and 2 y [1.68 cm2 (1.22; 2.13) versus 1.8 cm2 (1.35; 2.25), P = 0.02]. SAVR had a higher freedom from any paravalvular leak at 30 d and 1 y [86% (81; 90) versus 39% (36; 41), P < 0.01]. All-cause death was lower in the SAVR group at 5 y [39% (29; 50) versus 43% (31; 57), P < 0.01]. Although no differences were seen between SAVR and TAVR in the pooled Kaplan–Meier analysis of all-cause mortality and composite of all-cause mortality or stroke, parametric modeling with extrapolation showed significant divergence for both outcomes. ConclusionsPooled all-cause mortality as well as pooled composite of all-cause mortality or stroke indicated better survival with SAVR at 5 y. Long-term parametric extrapolation also indicated superior survival with SAVR.

Von Willebrand Factor Dynamics in Patients with Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Surgical and Transcatheter Valve Replacement.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a prevalent valvular disorder that poses a significant burden on healthcare systems due to its debilitating symptoms and high mortality rates if left untreated. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are the primary interventions for severe AS, but perioperative complications such as bleeding remain a concern. Von Willebrand factor (VWF), a crucial player in hemostasis, is known to be altered in AS and may contribute to the hemostatic imbalance observed in these patients. This prospective study aimed to investigate the association between prosthetic valve type, size, and postprocedural VWF levels in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) for severe AS. This study involved 39 consecutive patients diagnosed with severe AS who underwent SAVR or TAVR. By elucidating the VWF dynamics associated with different prosthetic valves, this study sought to provide valuable insights into personalized valve selection and perioperative management strategies.