Standardized TAVR Protocol Improves Patient Outcomes
Standardized TAVR Protocol Improves Patient Outcomes
Highlighted in June 2025
Based on the Optimize PRO study, published in JSCAI June 2, 2025
Source:
Key Highlights from the Optimize PRO Study:
1. Using a clear, step-by-step TAVR protocol significantly improved patient outcomes across international centers.
2. The cusp overlap technique (COT) was a key part of the protocol, used to optimize valve placement.
3. When the protocol was followed:
• Permanent pacemaker rate (PPMI) dropped to 6.4% vs 18.5% when not followed.
• No moderate/severe aortic regurgitation at discharge.
• 76%+ of patients had no/trace paravalvular leak.
4. Median hospital stay: 2 days. Many patients were eligible for next-day discharge.
5. Using the Lunderquist extra-stiff guidewire further reduced complications (PPMI: 9% vs 19% without it).
6. More than one-third of sites had zero PPMI cases—showing success is reproducible when protocols are applied correctly.
7. Experts emphasized the importance of having a simple, globally applicable TAVR procedure to standardize care and improve results.
