National Analysis of Short-Term Outcomes and Volume-Outcome Relationships for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in the Era of Commercialization.

OBJECTIVES We queried the 2012 National Inpatient Sample in order to (1) further describe the short-term outcomes for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and (2) characterize possible volume-outcome relationships and other prognostic factors for this procedure. METHODS Demographics and inhospital outcomes were tabulated for all patients, as were hospital characteristics and procedural-volume data for all centers at which patients underwent TAVR. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for mortality or morbidity. RESULTS 7,635 patients aged ≥ 18 years received TAVR during the study period; 84.5% (n = 6,450) underwent transfemoral TAVR and the rest were treated transapically. The median age was 83 years (IQR 77-88 years) and cardiovascular comorbidities were widespread. Overall inhospital mortality was 5.0% (n = 380), and 1.4% (n = 105) of the patients experienced a stroke. All-cause procedure-related morbidity was 24.7% (n = 1,885). Annual hospital TAVR volume did not predict inhospital mortality or morbidity (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99-1.00, p = 0.111 and OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99-1.00, p = 0.947, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our analysis helps to confirm the short-term safety profile of TAVR and further demonstrates that inhospital outcomes have remained acceptable as this procedure has become commercialized.