Valvular & structural heart diseaseCohort study
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Activity
- International registry study
- multicentre
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 participants · 130 centres · 61 countries
- Exposure
- Pandemic waves vs prepandemic period
- Outcome
- Monthly TAVR case volume
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. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. Published 3 January 2024. doi:10.1016/j.jcin.2023.10.041
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it