TAVR (new study results)

[neo]

I just read about this TAVR study done in intermediate risk patients. Pretty amazing that results were similar to open-heart, but there was less death and stroke! Great to know that this is now a solid option.

http://www.investors.com/news/techno...y/?src=A00220A

 

[neo]

Here is a more detailed look at the results...

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/877349

 

[Nocturne]

"Only" a 12% chance of death or disabling stroke at the two year mark. Wow.
Future's so bright, ya gotta wear shades.

 

[skeptic49]

What you and I will need is a study focusing TAVR in patients with replacement prosthetics like our St. Jude Trifectas.

 

[neo]

Skeptic, id definitely like to see that

 

[epstns]

What you and I will need is a study focusing TAVR in patients with replacement prosthetics like our St. Jude Trifectas.

That's going to be a long time coming, if ever. In order to do a random controlled trial or any such similarly tightly managed study, they would need many patients and have to watch over a long time. By the time the study could be completed, there would probably be some new treatment option that would render the originally tested treatment obsolete.

Not trying to be a wet blanket, but I think we will all have to make our choices based upon whatever information is available, in the absence of tightly structured studies. The same thing happens regularly in cancer treatment. Things advance so rapidly in some areas that new treatments are out and in use before the previous generations can be properly tested.

 

[Nocturne]

It's true, epstns, and an easy to overlook truth is that this is a GOOD thing -- at least so long as these constant advancements actually DO something WRT lifespan and enjoyment of life. If they're just advancements made for the sake of advancement, and profit...