ScienceTechyNews: TAVR as good as surgery for patients at low surgical risk

A new trial comparing self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to standard open-heart surgery for valve replacement -- this time in patients with severe aortic stenosis who are considered low surgical risk -- found no difference in the combined rate of disabling stroke or death from any cause at two years. The findings were presented at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session. These events occurred in 5.3 percent of TAVR patients and 6.7 percent of patients undergoing traditional surgery.

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