may now be able to consider a less invasive transcatheter approach rather than surgical aortic valve replacement , as results of a randomized trial have shown no significant difference in outcomes between the two after 1 year of follow-up.
"The study adds to the current evidence that TAVI in a low-to-intermediate-risk patient population that mirrors clinical routine is safe and noninferior to SAVR for the timeframe of 1 year," Seiffert told."In fact, event rates were substantially lower for the primary outcome and some key secondary outcomes for TAVI compared to SAVR."
The study also looked at a host of secondary endpoints, with no significant difference seen between most with the following exceptions:Bleeding, 17.2% and 4.3%, respectively, a 76% lower risk with TAVI., 30.8% and 12.4%, a 64% lower risk with TAVI.Echocardiography Seiffert said these patients will be followed for 5 and 10 years to get a better idea of the longer-term implications of one procedure vs the other.