Racial disparities in the treatment of aortic stenosis: Has transcatheter aortic valve replacement bridged the gap?

BACKGROUND: Racial disparities in outcomes and utilization of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis (AS) is well known. While transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become more widespread, its impact on racial disparities remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to assess the utilization of SAVR and TAVR and their clinical outcomes among various racial groups. METHODS: The National Inpatient database (2009-2015) was used to study the racial distribution of admissions for SAVR and TAVR, and their impact on inpatient outcomes. Survey estimation commands were used to determine weighted national estimates. RESULTS: There were 3,445,267; 294,108; and 52,913 inpatient visits for AS, SAVR, and TAVR, respectively. SAVR visits were 86% White, 3.8% Black, 5.5% Hispanic, 1.2% Asian/Pacific Islander (A/PI), 0.4% Native American (NA), and 2.9%; TAVR were 87.7% White, 3.7% Black, 3.8% Hispanic, 1.0% A/PI, 0.2% NA, and 3.5% Other while AS visits were 83.7% White, 6.7% Black, 5.3% Hispanic, 1.7% A/PI, 0.4% NA, and 2.2% Other. Racial minorities generally had more co-morbidities compared with Whites. After SAVR, Black patients had a higher unadjusted inpatient mortality than Whites, however, there was no difference after adjustment for other variables. A/PI were more likely to require a permanent pacemaker after SAVR. Need for blood transfusion was significantly higher among the minorities compared with Whites, except for NA, but there were no racial differences in stroke rates. There was no difference in inpatient mortality, pacemaker implantation, stroke, and bleeding after TAVR, but acute kidney injury occurred more often in Hispanics, A/PI, and \"others\" compared with Whites. CONCLUSIONS: Racial disparities in the treatment of AS continues in the contemporary era; however it was found that TAVR resulted in comparable inpatient outcomes, despite higher comorbidities, and adverse socioeconomic factors in minorities.