Recommendations for NHSScotland

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) should be considered for people with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis who are at low surgical risk. TAVI is likely to be cost effective compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in this population, depending on TAVI device costs. Procurement decisions should be coordinated to ensure that Scotland achieves the best value when purchasing TAVI valves.

Approximately 80% of people with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis are at low surgical risk. Offering TAVI to patients who are at low surgical risk will require increasing the capacity of healthcare services to deliver equitable access to TAVI across NHSScotland. Priority access to TAVI services should be maintained for people in higher surgical risk categories.

NHSScotland is required to consider the Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG) recommendations.

Referred by

Scottish Government