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.