Risk-Adjusted Comparison of In-Hospital Outcomes of Transcatheter and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

Background Transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR) is recommended for patients suffering from aortic valve stenosis at increased operative risk. Beyond that, patients with different comorbidities could benefit from TF-TAVR. The present study compares real-world in-hospital outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement and TF-TAVR. Methods and Results For all 33 789 isolated TF-TAVR and surgical aortic valve replacement procedures performed in Germany in 2014 and 2015, comorbidities and in-hospital outcomes were identified by International Classification of Diseases (ICD)- and OPS (Operation and procedure key)-codes. Patients undergoing TF-TAVR were older and at increased estimated risk. Outcomes were risk-adjusted to allow comparison. TF-TAVR was associated with a lower risk for acute kidney injuries (odds ratio [OR] 0.62, P<0.001), for bleeding (OR 0.17, P<0.001), and for prolonged mechanical ventilation (>48 hours, OR 0.21, P<0.001). Risk for stroke was similar (OR 1.07, P=0.558). As expected, the risk for pacemaker implantations was higher after TF-TAVR (OR 4.61, P<0.001). In all patients, none of the treatment strategies had a clear advantage on the risk for in-hospital mortality (OR 0.83, P=0.068). However, in patients aged >80 years and at high operative risk undergoing TF-TAVR in-hospital mortality was lower (TF-TAVR versus surgical aortic valve replacement 80-84, OR 0.55; P=0.002; ≥85 years, OR 0.42, P=0.006; EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation) >9: OR 0.62, P=0.001). TF-TAVR was superior in patients with renal failure and in NYHA (New York Heart Association)-Class III/IV. Other risk groups were not found to be factors favoring a treatment strategy. Conclusions The present study indicates a superiority of TF-TAVR in clinical practice for patients at increased operative risk, aged >80 years, in NYHA-Class III/IV, and with renal failure.