Is the quality-of-life improvement after transcatheter aortic valve implantation equivalent to that achieved by surgical aortic valve replacement?

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2021 Nov 22;33(6):866-870. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivab186.

Abstract

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'is the quality-of-life (QoL) improvement after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) equivalent to that achieved by surgical aortic valve replacement (sAVR)?' Literature search revealed 189 papers with reference to QoL after TAVI, of which 7 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers were tabulated. QoL plays a crucial role in the decision-making process for procedures such as TAVI and sAVR. Current evidence included and analysed in this review have shown a clear improvement in QoL after both TAVI and sAVR. TAVI offers a rapid improvement of QoL, evident within the first 30 days. There is no difference in QoL at 2- and 5-year follow-up between TAVI and sAVR. There are currently paucity of data on long-term QoL and the potential impact of structural valve degeneration following TAVI.

Keywords: Aortic valve replacement; Outcomes; Quality of life; Surgical aortic valve replacement; TAVR; Transcatheter; Transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Valve / surgery
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis* / surgery
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation* / adverse effects
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation* / methods
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis*
  • Humans
  • Quality of Life
  • Risk Factors
  • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement* / adverse effects
  • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement* / methods
  • Treatment Outcome