Procedural Pattern, Clinical Outcomes, and Cost Analysis of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Korea JACC Asia June 2026)-Article: Procedural Pattern, Clinical Outcomes, and Cost Analysis of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Korea

Article: Procedural Pattern, Clinical Outcomes, and Cost Analysis of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Korea

Pdf Summary

This nationwide Korean registry study analyzed all transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures performed from May 2015 to June 2021 using patient-level data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, linked with National Health Insurance records for mortality and cost follow-up.<br /><br />A total of 3,463 patients at 39 hospitals underwent TAVR. Patients were elderly (mean age 80.5 years), slightly more often female (54.0%), and a large share were low surgical risk by STS score (41.7%). The number of TAVR procedures and participating centers increased steadily over time, reflecting rapid diffusion of the procedure in Korea.<br /><br />Procedurally, TAVR was highly successful: 99.0% were done via the transfemoral approach and overall procedural success was 99.7%. Serious complications were uncommon. Permanent pacemakers were needed in 7.0% of patients, and moderate/severe paravalvular leak occurred in 5.1%. Symptoms improved markedly after the procedure, with most patients in NYHA class I or II afterward.<br /><br />Clinical outcomes were favorable. In-hospital all-cause mortality was 2.9%. Estimated all-cause mortality was 2.7% at 30 days, 12.9% at 2 years, and 19.5% at 5 years. Cardiovascular rehospitalization occurred in 31.7% by 2 years and 40.5% by 5 years.<br /><br />Cost analysis showed that the average index hospitalization cost was about USD 32,173 per patient, with 83.2% attributable to material/device expenses. Follow-up costs over 2 years were much lower, averaging USD 3,612.<br /><br />Overall, the study shows that TAVR use in Korea expanded rapidly, with excellent procedural success and favorable survival, but the procedure remains costly, mainly because of device expenses.

Meta Tag

Concept Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Concept Device Cost

Concept Procedural Success

Concept Mortality

Concept Material Cost

Keywords

transcatheter aortic valve replacement

TAVR

Korean registry study

procedural success

mortality outcomes

paravalvular leak

permanent pacemaker

transfemoral approach

health insurance data

procedure cost

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Device Cost

Procedural Success

Mortality

Material Cost