Better decision-making help for choosing heart valve replacement

This trial is testing whether a structured approach to shared decision-making helps patients make better choices about their heart valve treatment. You have severe aortic stenosis (a narrowing of the heart's aortic valve), and your doctors have determined that you could safely have either surgical valve replacement or a less invasive catheter-based valve replacement. This study compares whether a more organized, patient-centered way of discussing your options improves your satisfaction and confidence in whichever treatment you choose.

Both surgical and catheter-based valve replacements are effective, but they differ in important ways—such as how invasive they are, how long recovery takes, and long-term durability. Guidelines recommend that patients' own values and preferences should guide this choice, but many patients feel confused or overwhelmed by the decision. This trial tests whether structured, organized decision-making support helps patients feel more confident and satisfied with their choice.