ACC 25 - PROTECT-TAVI shows no benefit to routine use of cerebral embolic protection during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Dr Harriette Van Spall (McMaster University, CA) is joined by Prof Rajesh Kharbanda (Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK) to discuss the findings from the British Heart Foundation's PROTECT-TAVI Trial, which aimed to determine whether using cerebral embolic protection (CEP) devices during TAVI procedures can reduce the risk of stroke in patients with aortic stenosis.

The study enrolled 7627 patients undergoing TAVI, who were randomly assigned to recieve either the standard procedure, or TAVI with CEP. The primary endpoint was incidence of stroke within 72 hours after TAVI procedure, and secondary endpoints were long-term patient outcomes at 12 months and the impact on the NHS healthcare system. 7635 patients scheduled for TAVI were randomized to have the procedure either with a CEP device, or without.

Findings showed no difference in stroke rate between groups, and similar results seen between groups for severe stroke and all-cause death.

Recorded Remotely from Hamilton and Oxford, 2025.

Editors: Yazmin Sadik, Jordan Rance

Videographers: David Ben-Harosh

Support: This is an independent interview produced by Radcliffe Cardiology.