Comparison of aortic annulus dimensions between Japanese and European patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation as determined by multi-detector computed tomography: results from the OCEAN-TAVI (Optimised transCathEter vAlvular interveNtion) registry and a European single-centre cohort

Yusuke Watanabe, Kentaro Hayashida, et al

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is evolving rapidly with an exponential growth in the number of procedures in European countries. However, TAVI has just started to be used in some Asian countries, and its efficacy and safety in Asian patients has not been thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, Asians have a smaller body size and, consequently, a smaller aortic annulus size and vascular access than their European counterparts. The risks related to these anatomic differences have raised serious concerns about the safety of TAVI in Asian patients.

This study sought to examine the anatomic features of Asian patients undergoing TAVI and to compare aortic annulus dimensions, determined by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT), with European patients undergoing the same procedure.