Gender Matters: A State-of-the-Art Review of Transcatheter Structural Interventions in Older Women Vs Men

TL;DR

This paper reviews how transcatheter heart procedures differ in outcomes between older men and women, emphasizing the need for sex-specific considerations and more research on women.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of sex-based differences in transcatheter structural heart interventions for older adults.

Findings

Transcatheter interventions are safe and effective for older patients over 65.

Sex-specific differences affect clinical presentation and outcomes in these procedures.

Women are underrepresented in clinical trials, highlighting a need for more inclusive research.

Abstract

With rising life expectancy, the population of older adults over the age of 65 is rapidly expanding, with women comprising the majority. Structural heart disease is common in this group, and transcatheter interventions have transformed its management. Optimal outcomes require careful consideration of sex-specific differences. This review examines transcatheter structural heart interventions in older adults with a focus on sex-based outcomes, procedural planning, and current knowledge gaps.

•Transcatheter structural interventions are safe and effective therapies for older patients ≥65 years of age.•Sex-specific differences influence clinical presentation, procedural planning, and outcomes in transcatheter interventions.•Comprehensive assessment of physical and cognitive functions preprocedure is needed to optimize cardiovascular outcomes.•Older adults, especially women, remain underrepresented in clinical trials, necessitating future population level research.

Transcatheter structural interventions are safe and effective therapies for older patients ≥65 years of age.

Sex-specific differences influence clinical presentation, procedural planning, and outcomes in transcatheter interventions.

Comprehensive assessment of physical and cognitive functions preprocedure is needed to optimize cardiovascular outcomes.

Older adults, especially women, remain underrepresented in clinical trials, necessitating future population level research.

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