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Technical Brief - Final – Aug. 2, 2010
Risks, Benefits of Emerging Heart Valve Replacement Technique Not Fully Understood

A newer, less invasive method of heart valve replacement shows promise and may be appropriate for patients who cannot tolerate traditional open heart surgery, but research is needed to understand its potential risks and benefits, according to a new AHRQ-funded study. The report finds that percutaneous heart valve replacement, a procedure in which a replacement valve is implanted through a catheter rather than by open heart surgery, is a realistic option for some patients with heart valve disease, especially older or sicker patients. The report found that percutaneous heart valve replacement may be a safe and effective alternative to open heart surgery, especially in the short term, for those patients. However, information is lacking on the potential long-term benefits and risks of this procedure, particularly compared with open heart valve replacement surgery. The report did not conclude that any of the seven valves studied is safer or more effective than another. The report was produced by the Duke Evidence-based Practice Center for AHRQ, a leading federal agency conducting comparative effectiveness research. Results of the report were published online August 2 in Annals of Internal Medicine. Heart valve disease—a narrowing of the heart valve—is blamed for approximately 20,000 deaths a year.

Technical Brief: Percutaneous Heart Valve Replacement
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http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/ehc/products/66/492/TechBrief_PercutaneousHeart_final.pdf

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