Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in low-risk patients: is it too early?

The median age of patients treated by transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is falling across Europe, and low-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) represent 80% of patients with severe AS undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). There are few data for TAVI in low-risk patients, but there are four ongoing randomised trials of SAVR versus TAVI. The key issues relate to pacemaker implantation rates and the associated potential longer term deleterious effects, and the need to minimise vascular complications and paravalvular leak. Valve leaflet thrombosis and paucity of data on valve durability remain a concern. Given the higher incidence of bicuspid aortic valves in younger patients, outcomes of TAVI in this setting need clarification and are discussed.