Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement: A Review of Aortic Stenosis Management

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) affects 3.4% of the elderly over 60 years of age. It presents with exertional dyspnea, syncope, angina, and progression to irreversible congestive heart failure. Early intervention produces a better outcome in preventing the clinical deterioration of AS. The choice of intervention is transcatheter aortic valve implantation or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). The decision should be made after evaluating an individual case based on its clinical features and the user’s experience with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We reviewed available data to illustrate the types of ASs, the background of interventions, current guidelines for TAVR, and its comparison with SAVR in terms of adverse effects.