Predictors of postoperative negative outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Abstract

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has allowed patients who were previously not fit enough for heart valve surgery to have a valve replacement without going through major surgery. Complication rates following TAVI have reduced over the last few years, but studies suggest that the incidence of several complications remains high. Avoiding complications is key to reducing costs associated with TAVI, which is important given that the procedure is already more expensive than other treatment options. An emerging strategy for patients undergoing TAVI is to identify preoperative factors predictive of postoperative adverse outcomes. This commentary summarises three systematic reviews which explore moderating factors for adverse events after TAVI surgery, with the aim of identifying statistically and clinically significant factors associated with poor surgical outcomes and contextualising these factors within clinical practice.