Early valve replacement versus monitoring for severe aortic stenosis

This study is testing whether people with severe aortic stenosis (narrowing of the heart's aortic valve) who have no symptoms should have their valve replaced immediately or watched carefully over time. Half of participants will receive early valve replacement surgery or a catheter-based valve procedure, while the other half will be monitored with regular checkups and treated if symptoms appear. The goal is to find out which approach leads to better long-term health outcomes.

Doctors have long waited for symptoms to appear before replacing a stenotic aortic valve, but recent research suggests that early replacement — before symptoms develop — might prevent heart damage and improve survival. This large study aims to definitively answer whether operating early on carefully selected patients is safer and more effective than the traditional waiting approach.