Impact of transfemoral versus transapical access on mortality among patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Objective To compare early and late mortality of transfemoral (TF) and transapical (TA) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients and assess predictors for mortality. Background Studies have shown conflicting results regarding impact of access on outcome in severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients undergoing TAVR. Methods AS patients undergoing TAVR between May 2007–December 2014 were included. Baseline demographic, clinical, and imaging parameters were compared according to access, and landmark analysis models were generated to assess outcomes and associated factors. Results Among 648 severe AS patients undergoing TAVR, TF was used in 516 and TA in 132. Baseline characteristics between groups demonstrated lower body mass index, higher STS score, and rate of peripheral vascular disease among TA patients. Procedural complications were more common in the TA group, especially major bleeding (15% vs. 6%, p < 0.001) and acute kidney injury > 1 (8% vs. 1.4%, p < 0.001). Landmark analysis demonstrated higher cumulative mortality rates at 30 days among TA than TF patients (log-rank p < 0.001), with similar mortality after 30 days and up to 1-year (13% in both log-rank p = 0.64). In a multivariate model, TA was an independent predictor of early mortality (HR = 4.55 95% CI [12.5–1.6], p = 0.003) along with pulmonary artery systolic pressure > 60 mmHg (HR = 3.08 95% CI [7.37–1.29], p = 0.01) and residual aortic regurgitation severity above mild (HR = 3.99 95% CI [10.2–1.56], p = 0.004). Conclusions Patients undergoing TAVR via TA have higher adjusted early mortality and similar late mortality rates compared to TF, despite higher risk profile.