Early treatment of severe aortic stenosis: do we need to wait?

Rahul Sharma and Darren Walters share their perspectives on shifting treatment strategies for aortic stenosis (AS), with a focus on early intervention.

Their conversation draws on the EARLY TAVR trial, which compared transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to clinical surveillance in patients with severe, asymptomatic AS at low surgical risk. Results at one year revealed a significant reduction in unplanned hospitalisations with TAVR—supporting its safety and effectiveness in this population.

Beyond the clinical trial, the discussion examines the real-world impact of delayed treatment: longer hospital stays, higher complication rates, and prolonged recovery—each with economic consequences.

They also reflect on how acute valve syndrome is currently managed in different parts of the world, including the United States and Australia.

The takeaway: identifying severe AS should lead to early planning and treatment—not only to improve patient outcomes, but also to reduce overall healthcare burden.

Watch the round table discussion and get the full picture.

This interview was filmed at EuroPCR 2025: see more videos here.