Transcatheter versus surgical valve replacement in patients with bicuspid aortic valves: an updated meta-analysis.

Patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) are predisposed to the development of aortic stenosis. We performed a pairwise meta-analysis, comparing the efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) versus surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with BAV. Medical databases were queried to pool comparative studies of interest.

Bioprosthetic versus mechanical valves for mitral valve replacement in patients < 70 years: an updated pairwise meta-analysis.

Background: The ideal conduit for mitral valve replacement (MVR) remains elusive, particularly among younger patients due to increased life expectancy. We perform a pairwise meta-analysis comparing the use of bioprosthetic valves (BPV) and mechanical mitral valves (MMV) in patients < 70 years old undergoing MVR.

Methods: We comprehensively searched medical databases to identify studies comparing the use of BPV and MMV in patients < 70 years old undergoing MVR.

Opioid-free anesthesia versus opioid-based anesthesia in patients undergoing cardiovascular and thoracic surgery: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background: Despite their extensive clinical use, opioids are characterized by several side effects. These complications, coupled with the ongoing opioid epidemic, have favored the rise of opioid-free-anesthesia (OFA). Herein, we perform the first pairwise meta-analysis of clinical outcomes for OFA vs opioid-based anesthesia (OBA) in patients undergoing cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.

General Anesthesia Versus Local Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: An Updated Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

Objectives: For patients with aortic stenosis, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) offers a less invasive treatment modality than conventional surgical valve replacement. Although the surgery is performed traditionally under general anesthesia (GA), recent studies have described success with TAVR using local anesthesia (LA) and/or conscious sedation. The study authors performed a pairwise meta-analysis to compare the clinical outcomes of TAVR based on operative anesthesia management.