Experience in aortic valve replacement using different surgical accesses between 2018 and 2021: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: aortic valve replacement is one of the most common cardiac surgeries today, traditionally performed through open-heart surgery (median sternotomy).However, alternative surgical approaches, such as minimally invasive surgery through a mini-median sternotomy and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), have been developed.Objective: to describe the experience of a cardiovascular center in Tolima with aortic valve replacement using different surgical approaches between 2018 and 2021.Method: a descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted.A descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed of the surgical approach used.Results: the population consisted of 131 patients.Degenerative aortic valve disease was found in 71.7% (n = 94) of cases, followed by congenital conditions in 28.2% (n = 37).Regarding the surgical approach, 64.9% (n = 85) underwent open-heart surgery, followed by 24.4% (n = 32) who had minimally invasive surgery, and in third place, 10.7% (n = 14) with transcatheter replacement.Bivariate analysis revealed that the minimally invasive approach showed better results.Conclusions: the open surgical approach is the most commonly implemented; however, the minimally invasive approach should be considered as an option due to its excellent results and a similar cost.This approach offers benefits such as reduced postoperative pain and a smaller surgical scar.Transcatheter access is preferred for patients at high surgical risk.