Risk of Short-Term Stroke in Non-High-Risk Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement vs Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

What was studied

This meta-analysis looked at stroke after aortic valve replacement. One way was transcatheter (TAVR). The other was surgical (SAVR). The patients were not at high risk. It pooled 9 randomized trials with 9865 patients. The main outcome was stroke at 1 and 2 years. The aim was to inform choices about safety and effect.

What they found

At 1 year, TAVR was linked to fewer strokes than SAVR. The odds ratio was 0.77. The range was 0.61 to 0.98. At 2 years, there was no significant difference. The odds ratio was 0.87. The range was 0.65 to 1.17.

What it means for patients

They say TAVR significantly lowers stroke risk in the first year compared with SAVR. They say this effect was not kept at 2 years. They say the findings highlight an early benefit. They say the long-term gain needs more study.

Why it is not certain yet

The stroke difference did not last to 2 years. The abstract looks only at stroke. It does not say what happens after 2 years. It does not give the quality of the trials. A review can only be as good as the studies in it.

Source

Risk of Short-Term Stroke in Non-High-Risk Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement vs Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

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