Design and rationale of the COMPARE-TAVI 2 trial: An all-comers head-to-head comparison of Evolut FX+ and Sapien 3 Ultra Resilia transcatheter heart valves.

INTRODUCTION

The COMPARE-TAVI trial framework was launched for direct comparison of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) valves. The COMPARE-TAVI 1 trial, comparing Myval/Myval Octacor versus Sapien 3/Sapien 3 Ultra transcatheter heart valves (THVs), was recently published. Here, we present the design and rationale for the COMPARE-TAVI 2 trial comparing the Evolut FX+ self-expandable THV with the Sapien 3 Ultra Resilia balloon-expandable THV.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In the COMPARE-TAVI 2 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06470022), patients will be randomized 1:1 between the THVs. The trial will test whether the Evolut FX+ self-expandable THV is noninferior to the Sapien 3 Ultra Resilia balloon-expandable THV in terms of the combined 1-year primary composite endpoint of all-cause mortality, stroke, moderate/severe total aortic regurgitation, or moderate/severe hemodynamic THV deterioration, according to VARC-3 criteria. If noninferiority is proven, superiority analyses may apply. Based on a power of 80%, alpha level of 0.05, 1-sided test, noninferiority margin of 4.5%, and expected event rate of 12%, the necessary sample size has been estimated to be 1,364 patients. Prespecified secondary endpoints, including long-term follow-up for 10 years, will also be investigated.

SUMMARY: The COMPARE-TAVI 2 will provide important information on the short- and long-term outcomes among patients treated with the Evolut FX+ self-expandable and the Sapien 3 Ultra Resilia balloon-expandable THVs.