OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the choice of treatment for severe aortic valve stenosis in the era of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in Eastern Denmark.

BACKGROUND: Until the early 21st century, the only therapeutic option for aortic valve stenosis was surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), but this has changed with the introduction of TAVR.

METHODS: Using the East Denmark Heart Registry, the evolution of AVR over time was studied for the period 2005 to 2015.

RESULTS: TAVR has since its introduction in 2007 seen steady growth, with currently more than 35% of AVR procedures-and 45% of isolated AVR procedures-being performed by transcatheter-based technology. The number of SAVR procedures remained rather stable over the study period and even saw a slight decline since 2012-there was a marked decrease in the age at which surgical bioprostheses are considered appropriate. The age profile of TAVR patients remained unchanged over the study period, with a recent trend toward more low- and intermediate-risk patients. Currently, patients age ≥80 years and/or with a Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) surgical risk score >6 are automatically referred for TAVR, and one-half of patients age 70 to 80 years with an STS risk score of 4 to 6 are treated with TAVR.

CONCLUSIONS: The number of TAVR procedures has increased steadily in recent years, with a TAVR penetration rate of 35% in 2015 and close to 45% when considering isolated AVR. The number of SAVR procedures remained stable over the study period, and surgical bioprostheses are currently used at a much younger age than in 2005.