Trends in Utilization of Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Background: Despite the rapid growth of aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS), limited data suggest symptomatic severe AS remains undertreated.
Objectives: This study sought to investigate temporal trends in AVR utilization among patients with a clinical indication for AVR.
Methods: Patients with severe AS (aortic valve area <1 cm ² ) on transthoracic echocardiograms from 2000 to 2017 at 2 large academic medical centers were classified based on clinical guideline indications for AVR and divided into 4 AS subgroups: high gradient with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HG-NEF), high gradient with low LVEF (HG-LEF), low gradient with normal LVEF (LG-NEF), and low gradient with low LVEF (LG-LEF). Utilization of AVR was examined and predictors identified.
Results: Of 10,795 patients, 6,150 (57%) had an indication or potential indication for AVR, of whom 2,977 (48%) received AVR. The frequency of AVR varied by AS subtype with LG groups less likely to receive an AVR (HG-NEF: 70%, HG-LEF: 53%, LG-NEF: 32%, LG-LEF: 38%, P < 0.001). AVR volumes grew over the 18-year study period but were paralleled by comparable growth in the number of patients with an indication for AVR. In patients with a Class I indication, younger age, coronary artery disease, smoking history, higher hematocrit, outpatient index transthoracic echocardiogram, and LVEF ≥0.5 were independently associated with an increased likelihood of receiving an AVR. AVR was associated with improved survival in each AS-subgroup.
Conclusions: Over an 18-year period, the proportion of patients with an indication for AVR who did not receive AVR has remained substantial despite the rapid growth of AVR volumes.
Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures This study was funded by Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Inglessishas has received institutional research support from Medtronic, St. Jude Medical, and W.L. Gore and Associates; and is a proctor for Medtronic and Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Shah has received educational grants from Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, and Abbott Vascular; has received consulting fees from Edwards Lifesciences; has been a proctor for Edwards Lifesciences; and has been an advisory board member for Xenter. Dr Passeri has received institutional research support from Edwards Lifesciences; has been a speaker at an educational symposium sponsored by Medtronic; and has received consulting fees from Medtronic. Dr Kaneko has received consulting fees from Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, 4C Medical, CardioMech, Cook Medical; and has been a speaker for Abbott and Baylis. Dr Elmariah has received research grants from American Heart Association (19TPA34910170), National Institutes of Health (R01 HL151838), Edwards Lifesciences, Svelte Medical, Abbott Vascular, and Medtronic; and has received consulting fees from Edwards Lifesciences. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose.
(Copyright © 2022 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)