Outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement over three decades

Abstract Objective To analyze temporal changes in baseline and procedural characteristics and long-term survival of patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) over a 30-year period. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing SAVR between 1987 and 2016 in the Erasmus MC (Rotterdam, the Netherlands) were conducted. Patient baseline and procedural characteristics were analyzed in periods according to the date of SAVR (period A: 1987-1996; B: 1997-2006; C: 2007-2016). Survival status was determined using the Dutch National Death Registry. Relative survival was obtained by comparing the survival after SAVR to the survival of the age-, sex- and year-matched general population. Results Between 1987 and 2016, 4404 patients underwent SAVR. From period A to C, the mean age rose from 63.9±11.2 to 66.2±12.3 years (p Conclusions The patient complexity is continuously increasing over the last 30 years, yet long-term survival after SAVR remains high compared to the age-, sex- and year-matched general population.