Racial Disparities Among Patients Undergoing Balloon-Expandable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Abstract

Background

Aortic stenosis is the most frequently acquired native valve disease. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as a transformative intervention for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Despite its success, studies have shed light on racial and ethnic disparities in utilization and outcomes of TAVR.

Methods

Using the Transcatheter Valve Therapy Registry between November 2011 through June 2023, we evaluated volume trends of SAPIEN balloon-expandable TAVR performed by race/ethnicity, and its association with in-hospital and 1-year outcomes after the procedure.

Results

In the 12-year period, 395,618 patients were identified; 357,729 (90.42%) were White, 18,810 (4.75%) Hispanic, 15,100 (3.82%) Black, and 3979 (1.01%) Asian. There was an overall rising trend in proportional usage of TAVR among Hispanics (from 3.3% in 2011/2012 to 5.2% in 2023, P < .01) and Asian patients (from 1.1% in 2011/2012 to 1.3% in 2023, P < .01). Adjusted 1-year major adverse cardiac events (all-cause mortality, stroke, or rehospitalization) were comparable among Black patients (hazard ratio [HR], 1.00; 95% CI, 0.97-1.03; P = .82) and lower among Asian (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.86-0.97; P < .01) and Hispanic patients (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.86-0.91; P < .01) compared with White patients.

Conclusions

Evidence supports favorable outcomes across different ethnic groups, despite the presence of higher levels of comorbidities and lower TAVR utilization. Modest improvements in TAVR utilization disparities among Asian and Hispanic patients have occurred since its introduction; however, utilization in Black patients remains low despite favorable outcomes. Further efforts are needed to understand the reasons and mitigate disparities in minority patients.