Meta-Analysis Comparing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation to Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Low Surgical Risk Patients

Abstract

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is recommended for inoperable and high risk surgical patients with severe aortic stenosis. It is noninferior to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in intermediate risk candidates. TAVI is currently being assessed for low surgical risk individuals. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and matched observational studies between TAVI and SAVR in low surgical risk patients. The primary outcomes were short-term and mid-term mortality and neurologic events. Secondary outcomes were other periprocedure complications. A total of 8 studies (3 RCTs and 5 matched observational studies) totaling 6,686 patients were included. No difference was seen in short-term mortality and neurologic events (risk ratio [RR] 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45 to 1.03, p 0.07 and RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.13, p 0.18) as well as mid-term mortality and neurologic events (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.47, p 0.65 and RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.97, p 0.9) between the 2 groups. Reduced risk of new onset atrial fibrillation (RR 0.14, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.25, p <0.00001), acute kidney injury (RR 0.43, 95 CI 0.23 to 0.82, p 0.01), and bleeding (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.69, p 0.0005) whereas increased risk of ≥ moderate aortic regurgitation (RR 6.53, 95% CI 3.48 to 12.24, p <0.00001), pacemaker or defibrillator implantation (RR 3.11, 95% CI 1.96 to 4.94, p <0.00001) and vascular complications (RR 5.29, 95% CI 1.58 to 17.70, p 0.007) was noted in TAVI arm. In conclusion, TAVI is comparable to SAVR in terms of short-term and mid-term mortality and neurologic events in low surgical risk patients. The risk of periprocedure events is variable.