The 2020 ACC / AHA valve guidelines are out imminently
I'm sure some parts will generate a lot of debate, but a useful tip is to read all the explanatory text & not just review the figures! The justification for certain decisions is often to be found there...
I'm sure some parts will generate a lot of debate, but a useful tip is to read all the explanatory text & not just review the figures! The justification for certain decisions is often to be found there...
I have not yet read the whole document, but aortic stenosis inevitably catches the eye...in particular the decision for both TAVI & sAVR to have a Class I indication in the age range 65-80...
In the low-risk TAVI trials presented last year, mean age was 73-74yrs (+/-6yrs). So, closer to 75 than to 70. I'm sure there must be good reasons why Guideline Committee went for 65, but I can't find it in the text & don't understand it. Surely should have been 70, if not 75?
Interestingly, and helpfully, they provide the expected extra years of life for men & women in
- they're quite long! 17 years for a 70yr old...
This must be taken into account when deciding prostheses...

This must be taken into account when deciding prostheses...
What is surprising is that the committee acknowledge that we don't yet have outcome data >5yrs for the latest TAVI valves...yet it has a Class I recommendation in people in their late 60s? I find that difficult to follow...
I think we all expected changes after last year's trial results, even though 2yr data slightly less rosy than 1yr. I think this would have been reasonable if the cut-off was <75 (or at least 70) for sAVR?
What does everyone else think? Anyone know why it's 65-80?
#cardiotwitter
What does everyone else think? Anyone know why it's 65-80?
#cardiotwitter