Valvular & structural heart disease

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Activity: The COVID-TAVI Study

JACC Cardiovasc IntervPublished International registry study

Authors' conclusion

TAVR procedural volume declined substantially during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in Africa, Central-South America, and Asia. National socioeconomic status, COVID-19 incidence, and public health responses were associated with treatment delays.

Study context

Population
Institutions performing TAVR, January 2018 to December 2021
Participants
65,980 TAVR procedures130 centres61 countries
Exposure
Pandemic waves vs prepandemic period
Outcome
Monthly TAVR case volume
Methodological detailsmulticentre
  • Multicentre

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Change in monthly TAVR case volume vs prepandemic period

First wave

15% reduction

P < 0.001

Second wave

7% reduction

P < 0.001

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Reduction in TAVR activity by region

Africa
−52%; P = 0.001
Central-South America
−33%; P < 0.001
Asia
−29%; P < 0.001

Factors associated with greater reduction in TAVR activity

Private hospitals
P = 0.005
Urban areas
P = 0.011
Low-volume centres
P = 0.002
Lower country development
P < 0.001
Lower economic status
P < 0.001
Higher COVID-19 incidence
P < 0.001
More stringent public health restrictions
P < 0.001

Original publication

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Global TAVR Activity: The COVID-TAVI Study. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. Published 3 January 2024. doi:10.1016/j.jcin.2023.10.041

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