Cited 1 times since 2023 (1.7 per year) source: EuropePMC Netherlands heart journal : monthly journal of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology and the Netherlands Heart Foundation, Volume 31, Issue 12, 16 3 2023, Pages 473-478 National indication document and aortic valve replacement landscape in the Netherlands. Eerdekens R, van Steenbergen G, El Farissi M, Demandt J, van 't Veer M, Daeter E, Timmers L, de Weger A, Medendorp N, Tonino P, Transcatheter Heart Valve Intervention Registry Committee, Cardiothoracic Surgery Registry Committee of the Netherlands Heart Registry
Introduction
Based on European guidelines, transcatheter aortic valve implementation (TAVI) could be the therapy of choice in patients with severe aortic stenosis aged ≥ 75 years. In the Netherlands, there has been a debate between healthcare providers and the National Health Care Institute regarding reimbursement for TAVI, which resulted in an indication document that defines TAVI patients who are eligible for reimbursement. This document has been effective since 1 January 2021.
Methods
We extracted data from the Netherlands Heart Registry for patients who underwent biological surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or TAVI in the Netherlands from 2018 through 2021. We compared baseline characteristics and variables from the indication document for the subsequent years and age groups. We also analysed the annual SAVR/TAVI ratio.
Results
The total number of patients treated with SAVR or TAVI was constant in 2018-2021. Baseline characteristics of patients treated with TAVI did not differ throughout the years. The SAVR/TAVI ratio shifted towards a higher percentage of TAVI from 2018 to 2019. From 2019 to 2020, the TAVI percentage was constant. Since the implementation of the indication document (in 2021), a change in the SAVR/TAVI ratio was not found either.
Conclusion
Since the implementation of the national indication document for AVR in 2021, no major effect was seen for the SAVR versus TAVI landscape in the Netherlands.
