Is TAVI beter dan chirurgische aortaklepvervanging?

Severe aortic valve stenosis is treated traditionally with surgical valve replacement. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has experienced a rapid development in the last decade. Indications for TAVI have been broadened from inoperable and high surgical risk patients to intermediate-risk patients. Mortality rates are identical after TAVI compared with surgical valve replacement in intermediate-risk patients. However, mortality is not an appropriate outcome measure for a frail older person. Quality of life, autonomy and functioning independently are probably more suitable outcomes in this frail older population. Moreover, TAVI costs are high. TAVI is not appropriate for all elderly patients but depends on the individual patients’ criteria and wishes.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared.