Early Intervention for Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis Delivers Cost Savings, System Efficiencies, and Better Patient Outcomes

• First-of-a-kind health economics study found lifetime per-patient savings from early TAVR range from £1,788 in the UK to CHF 15,802 in Switzerland, highlighting significant economic benefits alongside improved outcomes over the life of patients. Across Europe, annual healthcare savings could exceed €500 million in the long term.
• On average, one person dies from structural heart disease (SHD) every ten minutes in ¹ As one of the most common forms of SHD, aortic stenosis is on the rise. With Europe’s aging population, SHD is expected to affect over 20 million people by 2040, up from 14 million today.²

LONDON (PCR London Valves) – November 17, 2025 – Edwards Lifesciences announces a new health economics study across nine European countries, led by York Health Economics Consortium, showing that early transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients delivers significant economic benefits alongside improved clinical outcomes. The simulation estimates lifetime per-patient savings between £1,788 in the UK and CHF 15,802 in Switzerland, mainly driven by fewer strokes and hospitalizations compared to the traditional ‘watchful waiting’ approach. With an estimated 100,000 newly asymptomatic severe AS patients in Europe each year³, the projected annual healthcare savings could surpass €500 million in the long term, underscoring the value of early intervention for both patients and healthcare systems.

Presented at PCR London Valves 2025, this is the first cost-effectiveness analysis of prompt treatment with TAVR in Europe. It is based on data from the EARLY TAVR trial using Edwards’ SAPIEN 3 platform. The findings support updated ESC/EACTS guidelines recommending earlier intervention in asymptomatic severe AS patients (Class 2a, Level of Evidence A). 

“These new data reinforce the need to move away from a ‘wait-and-see’ approach for patients with asymptomatic severe AS. In Europe, approximately 100,000 patients suffer from asymptomatic severe AS every year. Treating patients earlier – before symptoms develop – not only improves clinical outcomes but also optimizes healthcare costs and resource utilization,” said Philippe Genereux, M.D., director of the Structural Heart Program at Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, New Jersey. “AS patients, especially when asymptomatic, often go undiagnosed and untreated, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. This analysis underscores the importance of screening and detection strategies to improve referral pathways and patient outcomes, while reducing healthcare costs” he added.

Edwards Lifesciences’ SAPIEN 3 has been the only platform approved for treating asymptomatic severe AS since receiving CE mark extension in July 2025, reinforcing Edwards’ leadership in the SHD space. At TCT 2025, Edwards further strengthened its position by presenting seven-year results from PARTNER 3 that confirmed the sustained benefits of early TAVR alongside long term data - ten-year outcomes from PARTNER II - that showed lasting valve performance and excellent patient outcomes across risk profiles and the SAPIEN 3 platform.

“This new health economics analysis together with the latest ESC/EACTS guidelines confirm that prompt intervention delivers lasting value for all: better outcomes and quality of life for patients, a more proactive approach to disease management for clinicians, and long term savings for healthcare systems." said Annette Brüls, Corporate Vice President EMEA, Canada, and Latin America, Edwards Lifesciences. "Combined with the long term clinical data presented at TCT 2025, current evidence strongly reinforces the benefits of TAVR and its proven durability.”

Severe AS is a progressive and life-threatening form of SHD, representing a growing burden for patients and healthcare systems worldwide. The disease can worsen suddenly, leading to irreversible cardiac damage such as heart failure and stroke, with potential hospitalization.

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Comparison of cost savings (EUR) and Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gains per patient across European countries with early transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) (Genereux et al., “Cost-Effectiveness of TAVI for Asymptomatic severe AS across 9 EU countries,” presented at PCR LV November 2025).

*9 European countries studied: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK.

^1.Figure extrapolated based on an estimate of 54,000 deaths annually in Europe, as reported by Yadgir S. et al., “Global, Regional, and National Burden of Calcific Aortic Valve and Degenerative Mitral Valve Diseases, 1990–2017.” Circulation. 2020;141:1670–1680.

^2.Figure extrapolated based on projected demographic figures from Eurostat and the burden of Structural Heart Diseases provided in the OxVALVE Population Cohort Study. Reference: d’Arcy JL et al. Eur Heart J. 2016;37(47):3515–3522.

^3.Based on Durko et al. (2018), an estimated approximately 100,000 asymptomatic patients in Europe may become eligible for early transcatheter aortic valve replacement each year. Reference: Durko AP et al., Eur Heart J. 2018;39(28):2618–2625.

About Edwards Lifesciences

Edwards Lifesciences is the leading global structural heart innovation company, driven by a passion to improve patient lives. Through breakthrough technologies, world-class evidence and partnerships with clinicians and healthcare stakeholders, our employees are inspired by our patient-focused culture to deliver life-changing innovations to those who need them most. Discover more at www.edwards.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

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