Clear benefits of transcatheter aortic valve replacement for patients with Aortic Valve Disease - 28-Oct-2012

A study found that transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) yielded lower mortality rates after three years compared with medical therapy in patients deemed to be ineligible for conventional Aortic Valve surgery. A total of 358 patients underwent randomization at 21 centers. According to results of the PARTNER Cohort B trial, the Kaplan Meier estimated rates of death at three years were 54.1 percent in the TAVR group and 80.9 percent in the standard-therapy group (P<0.0001); corresponding rates of cardiac death were 41.4 percent and 74.5 percent (P<0.0001).

The survival advantage associated with TAVR that was initially observed at one year persisted during the subsequent years. "After three years of follow-up, the benefits of TAVR were sustained as measured by all cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, repeat hospitalization, and functional status," said researcher E. Murat Tuzcu, Vice-Chairman of the Department of Cardiology in the Sydell and Arnold Heart & Vascular Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. Data were presented at the 24th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics scientific symposium.