Safety and Efficacy of Transaortic Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Via Right Mini-Thoracotomy

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) via the transfemoral (TF) approach is widely used. However, patients with unsuitable peripheral arterial anatomy require alternative transthoracic access. In such patients, the transaortic TAVR via right mini-thoracotomy (Rt-TAo) approach offers a less invasive option than conventional sternotomy. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the procedural and 2-year clinical outcomes of TF TAVI versus Rt-TAo TAVI.

Patients who underwent TAVI via the TF approach or the Rt-TAo approach between January 2012 and November 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared, and propensity score matching was performed to adjust for baseline differences. The primary end-points were in-hospital mortality, stroke, other periprocedural morbidities, and postprocedural length of hospitalization. Secondary end-points included overall survival, freedom from cardiac-related death, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at 2 years.

A total of 767 consecutive patients were included in the analysis, of whom 694 underwent TF TAVI and 73 underwent Rt-TAo TAVI. Before matching, the Rt-TAo group had higher baseline prevalences of comorbidities and Society of Thoracic Surgeon risk scores. After matching, the Rt-TAo group had a longer procedural time, higher transfusion requirements, and longer lengths of intensive care unit and total hospital stays. However, the 2 groups had similar rates of periprocedural stroke, coronary obstruction, annular rupture, access-related complications, and in-hospital mortality. The 2 groups had similar 2-year rates of survival and freedom from MACCE.

The Rt-TAo TAVI is a safe and feasible alternative for patients with unsuitable peripheral arterial access, demonstrating comparable 2-year outcomes to TF TAVI.