Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of intraprocedural embolic protection (EP) during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
Background

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of EP devices during TAVR were relatively underpowered.
Methods

A systematic review and study-level meta-analysis was performed of randomized controlled trials that tested the efficacy and safety of EP during TAVR. Trials using any type of EP and TAVR vascular access were included. Primary imaging efficacy endpoints were total lesion volume and number of new ischemic lesions. Primary clinical efficacy endpoints were any deterioration in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores at hospital discharge. Primary analyses were performed using the intention-to-treat approach.
Results

Four randomized clinical trials (total n = 252) were included. Use of EP was associated with lower total lesion volume (standardized mean difference −0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.06 to −0.25; p = 0.002) and smaller number of new ischemic lesions (standardized mean difference −1.27; 95% CI: −2.45 to −0.09; p = 0.03). EP was associated with a trend toward lower risk for deterioration in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at discharge (risk ratio: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.27 to 1.09; p = 0.09) and higher Montreal Cognitive Assessment score (standardized mean difference 0.40; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.76; p = 0.03). Risk for overt stroke and all-cause mortality were nonsignificantly lower in the EP group.
Conclusions

Use of EP seems to be associated with reductions in imaging markers of cerebral infarction and early clinical neurological effectiveness in patients undergoing TAVR.