Socioeconomic and Racial Disparities: a Case-Control Study of Patients Receiving Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis

Anna Sleder, Henry Ford Health
Shiloh Tackett, Henry Ford Health
Matthew Cerasale, Henry Ford Health
Chetan Mittal, Henry Ford Health
Iyad Isseh, Henry Ford Health
Ryhm Radjef, Henry Ford Health
Andrew Taylor, Henry Ford Health
Rashad Farha, Henry Ford Health
Oleksandra Lupak, Henry Ford Health
Dana Larkin, Henry Ford Health
Lois Lamerato, Henry Ford Health
George Divine, Henry Ford Health
Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Henry Ford Health
Kimberly Baker-Genaw, Henry Ford Health
William O'Neill, Henry Ford Health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We sought to quantify socioeconomic disparities in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) at an urban, tertiary referral center.

METHODS: This retrospective case-control study identified 67 patients with severe AS (aortic valve [AV] area ≤1 cm

RESULTS: Income disparity was significant in that with every $10,000 increase in income, the odds of receiving TAVR increased by 10% (p = 0.05). Non-blacks were significantly more likely to receive TAVR than blacks (odds ratio [OR] 2.812, confidence interval [CI] 1.007-7.853; p = 0.048). No differences in comorbidities were found between the two groups. Post hoc analysis to identify etiologies of the found disparities examined differences of AV area and AV area index, indication for two-dimensional echocardiography (echo), symptoms prior to echo, and action after echo within the control group. Black race significantly impacted the TAVR status despite the same AV area (OR 0.33, CI 0.09-0.97, p = 0.043). After echo, blacks were more likely to decline AVR, be lost to follow-up, and not be referred to cardiology (OR 4.41, CI 1.43-13.64; p = 0.010).

CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic and racial disparities were associated with patients with severe AS receiving TAVR at a major referral center. This study emphasizes the importance of improving access to standard of care for these subgroups of cardiac patients.