JACC | Jan 25, 2025Mechanical Heart Valves Lead to Superior Long-Term Outcomes in SAVR for Patients 60 and Younger
JACC | Jan 25, 2025Mechanical Heart Valves Lead to Superior Long-Term Outcomes in SAVR for Patients 60 and Younger
Mechanical heart valves are associated with significantly better long-term outcomes compared to bioprosthetic heart valves in patients 60 years old or younger undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), according to new research presented at STS 2025, the annual meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
This finding comes at a time when an increasing number of younger patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) are being treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which involves implanting bioprosthetic heart valves.
“Is the TAVI valve mechanical or biological?The prosthesis used in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is always biological, meaning that patients do not require long-term blood thinners after the procedure. During TAVI:
The patient’s native valve is not removed but is instead pushed aside by a tissue valve held in place by a metal frame.
The new valve is implanted via a transcatheter approach, typically through the femoral artery (groin) or a small incision in the chest wall.
The heart does not need to be stopped, and a heart-lung bypass machine is not routinely required”.
The flexibility of biological tissues allows for varied access routes, making the procedure minimally invasive.
While TAVR has become a preferred option for older or high-risk patients, this new study emphasizes the long-term durability and benefits of mechanical heart valves in younger individuals undergoing SAVR. These findings highlight the importance of patient-specific treatment strategies in managing aortic valve disease.
Read the full study on JACC
https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.01.013