Backgrounds
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative method for treatment of severe aortic valve stenosis in high-risk patients. Recently the TAVI procedure has emerged as an effective alternative method for the treatment of severe aortic valve stenosis in high-risk patients. This innovative technique has been adopted in our institution since 2008 with a beneficial effect on patients who were excluded from conventional surgical management. The aim of this study is to compare the mortality and survival rate of these approaches with traditional AVR.

Material and Methods
142 patients were operated on between 2008 and 2013 at LHCH. The procedures were undertaken using both the transapical and transfemoral approaches. Retrospective observational cohort study analysis has been performed assessing the mortality and morbidity of this population. The outcome data from the TAVI patients was propensity matched to a conventional AVR group. A Kaplan Meier curve was developed allowing prediction of survival following the two procedures.

Results
From the total of 142 patients who underwent a TAVI, 71 of these were transapical and 69 were via a transfemoral approach. The TAVI group had an in hospital mortality rate of 3.5% which is comparable to conventional AVR. The median survival rate for TAVI patients was 3.6 years (95% CI 3.1-4.5) and there was a 4 year survival of 48% (95% CI 34-61%).

Conclusion
TAVI at LHCH has a comparable mortality and predicted survival rate with conventional AVR This procedure is a safe and viable option in high risk surgical candidates.