A new health economics study across nine European countries, led by York Health Economics Consortium, shows that early transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients delivers significant economic benefits alongside improved clinical outcomes.
The simulation estimates lifetime per-patient savings between £1,788 in the UK and CHF 15,802 in Switzerland, mainly driven by fewer strokes and hospitalisations compared to the traditional ‘watchful waiting’ approach. With an estimated 100,000 newly asymptomatic severe AS patients in Europe each year, the projected annual healthcare savings could surpass €500 million in the long term, underscoring the value of early intervention for both patients and healthcare systems.
Presented at PCR London Valves 2025, this is the first cost-effectiveness analysis of prompt treatment with TAVR in Europe. It is based on data from the EARLY TAVR trial using Edwards’ SAPIEN 3 platform. The findings support updated ESC/EACTS guidelines recommending earlier intervention in asymptomatic severe AS patients (Class 2a, Level of Evidence A).
“These new data reinforce the need to move away from a ‘wait-and-see’ approach for patients with asymptomatic severe AS. In Europe, approximately 100,000 patients suffer from asymptomatic severe AS every year. Treating patients earlier – before symptoms develop – not only improves clinical outcomes but also optimises healthcare costs and resource utilisation,” said Philippe Genereux, M.D., director of the Structural Heart Program at Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, New Jersey.
“AS patients, especially when asymptomatic, often go undiagnosed and untreated, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. This analysis underscores the importance of screening and detection strategies to improve referral pathways and patient outcomes, while reducing healthcare costs,” he added.
Edwards Lifesciences’ SAPIEN 3 has been the only platform approved for treating asymptomatic severe AS since receiving CE mark extension in July 2025. At TCT 2025, Edwards further strengthened its position by presenting seven-year results from PARTNER 3 that confirmed the sustained benefits of early TAVR alongside long term data - ten-year outcomes from PARTNER II - that showed lasting valve performance and excellent patient outcomes across risk profiles and the SAPIEN 3 platform.
“This new health economics analysis together with the latest ESC/EACTS guidelines confirm that prompt intervention delivers lasting value for all: better outcomes and quality of life for patients, a more proactive approach to disease management for clinicians, and long term savings for healthcare systems," said Annette Brüls, Corporate Vice President EMEA, Canada, and Latin America, Edwards Lifesciences. "Combined with the long term clinical data presented at TCT 2025, current evidence strongly reinforces the benefits of TAVR and its proven durability.”
Severe AS is a progressive and life-threatening form of SHD, representing a growing burden for patients and healthcare systems worldwide. The disease can worsen suddenly, leading to irreversible cardiac damage such as heart failure and stroke, with potential hospitalisation.
