Howard C. Herrmann, MD, principal investigator of the SMART trial, discussed his team's research on self-expanding vs. balloon-expandable TAVR valves in patients with small annuli. 

While most TAVR-related reinterventions occurred in the first year after treatment, most SAVR-related reinterventions occurred in years two through five. The team's full analysis is available in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

TAVR is noninferior to SAVR when treating low-risk patients, according to new data presented at ACC.24. In fact, it is associated with multiple benefits over surgery.

The SMART trial included one-year data from TAVR patients randomized to receive either a self-expanding Evolut valve or a balloon-expandable Sapien 3 valve. All patients presented with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and a small aortic annulus. A whopping 87% of participants were women. 

The long-term impact of moderate PPM remains unclear. To learn more, researchers explored dozens of different studies from over the years, sharing their work in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Patients who need renal replacement therapy after TAVR are much less likely to survive. Researchers hope their new risk score can help care teams prepare ahead of time for this rare, but potentially fatal complication. 

The Evolut FX+ TAVR system includes an updated diamond-shaped frame, which was made four times larger than previous models to offer improved coronary access. It was also designed to provide more space for operators to guide and maneuver the catheter during procedures.

Hoping to gain a better understanding of how TAVR may impact a patient’s long-term cardiovascular health, researchers explored data from more than 200,000 patients and shared their findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.