Transapical Versus Transaortic Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Systematic Review

Two alternative approaches for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) exist for patients unsuitable for the transfemoral approach; the transapical and the transaortic approaches. It is unclear as to which approach has superior short-term outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to answer this question. Mortality was equivalent in the 2 groups. There was a trend toward a lower rate of stroke in the transaortic group (0.9% vs 2.1%) but this was not statistically significant. Conversion to surgical aortic valve replacement, paravalvular leak, pacemaker requirement, and major bleeding occurred at equivalent rates. (C) 2015 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons