In a groundbreaking development presented at the EAPCI Summit 2026 in Munich, researchers have demonstrated that same-day discharge following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is not only feasible but also safe for a carefully selected group of patients. This advancement marks a significant step forward in cardiovascular patient management, potentially ushering in a new standard of care that prioritizes patient comfort, rapid recovery, and healthcare resource optimization.
TAVI is a minimally invasive procedure designed to treat aortic stenosis, a condition characterized by the narrowing of the aortic valve. Traditionally, severe aortic stenosis required open heart surgery, which carries considerable risk, especially for elderly patients and those with comorbidities. TAVI, by contrast, involves threading a catheter usually through the femoral artery in the groin to deploy a replacement valve directly inside the diseased valve. Initially reserved for patients at high surgical risk, TAVI has now expanded to include individuals at lower risk, thanks to advances in medical technology and procedural techniques.
The concept of discharging patients the day after TAVI has become popular due to improved procedural safety and streamlined post-operative care pathways. However, the new study explores the next frontier: safe same-day discharge. Dr. Krishnarpan Chatterjee from James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, UK, who led the research, outlined a protocol that broadens the inclusion criteria for selecting patients for elective day-case transfemoral TAVI with potential for same-day discharge. This approach involves admitting patients on the morning of the procedure and discharging them within hours after careful post-procedural assessment.
This retrospective study analyzed elective transfemoral TAVI patients from June 2018 to December 2024, focusing on those deemed eligible for same-day discharge. The eligibility criteria were stringent, emphasizing the absence of significant peripheral vascular disease, the presence of an existing pacemaker or baseline normal heart rhythm, and the assurance of sufficient home support for the critical first night post-discharge. Patients exhibiting severe frailty, cognitive dysfunction, complex medication regimens, or clinical instability were excluded.
Among the 790 patients who underwent elective transfemoral TAVI during the analysis period, 279 (35.3%) met the pre-assessment criteria suggesting potential suitability for same-day discharge. Of these, 160 patients (57.3%) were successfully discharged on the same day. The primary barriers to same-day discharge were heart rhythm conduction abnormalities, which accounted for about 67.2%, and vascular complications at 10.9%. These findings underscore the importance of meticulous intraoperative monitoring and post-procedural vigilance.
The demographic profile of the successfully discharged same-day group showed a mean age of 80.4 years, with females comprising 40% of the cohort. This highlights that advanced age alone should not preclude patients from benefiting from day-case TAVI with same-day discharge, provided other clinical criteria are favorable.
Crucially, the study found no statistically significant differences in 30-day mortality rates or hospital readmissions between the same-day discharge group and those who stayed at least one night. Thirty-day mortality was 1.8% in the same-day discharge cohort compared to 0.8% in the group with longer hospital stays, a difference that was not statistically significant (p = 0.472). Similarly, readmission rates favored the same-day discharge group (4.4% versus 9.2%) but without achieving statistical significance (p = 0.102). These outcomes reinforce the safety profile of the protocol when patients are selected with precision.
The implications of this research extend beyond individual patient outcomes. By endorsing same-day discharge in a significant subset of TAVI patients, healthcare systems can reduce inpatient bed occupancy, lower the risk of hospital-associated complications such as infections or delirium, and potentially decrease overall procedural costs. In an era where healthcare resources are stretched globally, such efficiencies are critically important.
Dr. Chatterjee emphasized that while these findings are promising, they are contingent upon careful patient selection and stringent adherence to clinical protocols. He advocated for further prospective studies and randomized trials to validate and refine the criteria for same-day discharge, ensuring that broad implementation is both safe and effective across diverse populations and healthcare settings.
The study underscores the dynamic evolution of TAVI from an invasive, high-risk procedure toward a patient-friendly intervention that integrates outpatient care principles without compromising safety. As technology advances — including improved valve designs, imaging techniques, and procedural workflows — the potential to enhance patient experience and optimize resource use will continue to grow.
Additionally, this research heightened interest in post-TAVI monitoring technologies, such as wearable cardiac devices and remote patient management systems, which could enable safer at-home care immediately following discharge. Integration of these innovations with clinical pathways might facilitate real-time monitoring of heart rhythm abnormalities or vascular issues, important factors identified as contraindications to same-day discharge.
The EAPCI Summit 2026 served as a valuable platform to disseminate these findings, emphasizing the role of collaborative research and continuous innovation in transforming cardiovascular care. The European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI), part of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), continues to lead initiatives aimed at refining percutaneous intervention techniques and improving patient outcomes.
This study’s retrospective design nevertheless leaves room for prospective validation, which will be essential to confirm the safety and efficacy of same-day discharge protocols in TAVI patients. Nonetheless, by demonstrating that approximately one in five elective transfemoral TAVI patients can be safely discharged within hours of their procedure, this research opens the door to new paradigms in minimally invasive cardiac care.
In conclusion, the feasibility and safety of same-day discharge after elective TAVI represents a transformative advancement with the potential to reshape postoperative cardiac care. With expanded criteria for patient selection and careful clinical oversight, this approach offers a promising avenue to enhance patient-centered care, reduce hospital stays, and optimize healthcare delivery.
Subject of Research: Same-day discharge safety and feasibility following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).
Article Title: Same-Day Discharge Following Elective Transfemoral TAVI: A Retrospective Safety and Feasibility Analysis.
News Publication Date: 19 February 2026
Web References:
– https://esc365.escardio.org/EAPCI-Summit/sessions/18090-optimising-tavi-procedures-planning-and-techniques
– https://www.escardio.org/communities/associations/eapci/
– https://www.escardio.org/events/congresses/eapci-summit/
References:
1. ‘Same day discharge after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: outcomes and predictors of success,’ presented at the EAPCI Summit 2026.
Keywords: Clinical medicine, Health care, Transcatheter aortic valve implantation, TAVI, Same-day discharge, Cardiology, Minimally invasive procedures, Cardiovascular interventions.
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