Balloon‐expandable versus self‐expanding valves for transcatheter aortic valve replacement using new generation devices: An analysis of the Brazilian RIBAC‐NT registry

Background Conflicting data yet exists regarding the clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using balloon‐expandable (BEV) and self‐expanding valves (SEV). Aim To compare the in‐hospital outcomes of TAVR performed with new‐generation BEV vs. SEV in a real‐world population. Methods Retrospective study using data from the Brazilian TAVR registry. All consecutive native tricuspid TAVR procedures using new‐generation valves were included. Transapical procedures were excluded. Patients were analyzed according to the type of prosthesis implanted (BEV vs. SEV). Unadjusted and propensity‐score matching comparisons were made. Primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included major vascular complication, major or life‐threatening bleeding, any stroke, and new pacemaker implantation. Results A total of 1706 patients from 25 centers were included in the analysis, 887 in the BEV and 819 in the SEV groups. Mean age was 80.7 ± 7.2 years and 48.9% were women. The SEV group had a higher proportion of female patients (53.5% vs. 44.6%, p ≤ 0.001) and more comorbidities, yielding a higher EuroSCORE‐2 (3.4 [2–6.4] vs. 4.5 [2.5–8.2], p