Early heart valve surgery versus waiting and monitoring for severe aortic stenosis

This study is testing whether people with severe aortic stenosis who don't yet have symptoms should have their valve replaced early, or whether they should be monitored closely instead. The trial will compare heart valve replacement surgery (or a minimally invasive procedure called TAVI) against a watching-and-waiting approach to see which strategy keeps people healthier and out of the hospital longer.

Doctors currently disagree about the best approach for people with severe aortic stenosis who feel fine—some recommend early surgery to prevent future problems, while others prefer to wait until symptoms appear. This trial aims to settle that question by finding out which approach actually leads to better health outcomes and prevents heart failure hospitalizations.