What now?
Since the first large TAVR trials started in 2007, their main thrust has been to prove the efficacy and safety of TAVR in patients at sequentially less risk of undergoing SAVR. Now that this series of comparisons has ended, where will TAVR research turn its attention?
In addition to the big outstanding issues of TAVR-valve long-term durability, and the efficacy and safety of TAVR for replacing bicuspid valves, other big questions and issues loom. They include the optimal anticoagulant regimen for preventing leaflet thrombosis, reducing the need for pacemakers, reducing strokes, the applicability of TAVR to patients with less severe aortic stenosis, the impact of treating severe but asymptomatic aortic valve obstruction, optimizing valve-in-valve outcomes, and further improvements to valve design, hemodynamics, and delivery. In short, the question of TAVR’s suitability for patients regardless of their surgical risk may have now been answered, but many questions remain about the best way to use and to optimize this technology.
Dr. Cleveland and Dr. Carroll have participated in TAVR trials but had no personal financial disclosures. Dr. Otto had no disclosures. Dr. Vemulapalli has received personal fees from Janssen, Novella, Premiere, and Zafgen, and research funding from Boston Scientific and Abbott Vascular. Dr. Lindman has been a consultant to Medtronic, has served as an advisor to Roche, and has received research funding from Edwards Lifesciences.