Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis –Are We Moving Towards Earlier Intervention?

Take home messages

• 2025 European Society of Cardiology (ESC ) guidelines include a new Class IIa recommendation for considering intervention in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis, if the procedural risk is low.

• This recommendation is based on four trials comparing early intervention to conservative management in this patient group.

• Positive outcomes in these trials were driven mainly by a reduction in unplanned hospitalisations rather than mortality. A meta-analysis also demonstrated a reduction in stroke in the early intervention group.

• The studies were heterogenous and included several design limitations that have been explored in critical reviews. There is also a lack of data regarding patient selection for early intervention.

Author

  • Dr Atmadeep Banerjee is an ST4 Cardiology Registrar in the Kent, Surrey and Sussex deanery. He graduated from Calcutta National Medical College, India, before completing his Foundation training and Internal Medicine Training in the Severn and KSS deaneries respectively. He has research experience as an NIHR Associate PI in the PROTECT-HF study. He has an interest in Medical Education, and has received award nominations for his contribution towards teaching. As an IMT, he won the University Hospitals Sussex Trainee Excellence Award in 2025.

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