Public interest in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has increased significantly over the past decade, with Google search volume increasing by 340% from 2015 to 2025, while searches for SAVR (surgical aortic valve replacement) decreased by 42%, according to a new study. These trends parallel changes in practice, with clinician use of TAVR doubling between 2015 and 2021. The researchers presented this data today at the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 2026 Scientific Sessions and Canadian Society of Interventional Cardiology/Canadian Association of Cardiac Interventions (CAIC-ACCI) Summit in Montreal.
TAVR is a minimally invasive surgery in which a doctor inserts a new heart valve into a blood vessel without opening the chest, whereas SAVR requires open-heart surgery, in which the doctor opens the chest, removes the old valve, and sews in a replacement valve. Over the past decade, clinicians have expanded TAVR from an option for high-risk patients to a first-line treatment for patients at all risk levels.
This study investigated whether public search patterns reflect this change in clinical practice. Researchers analyzed Google Trends data for the terms “TAVR,” “transcatheter aortic valve replacement,” “aortic valve surgery,” and “SAVR” across three eras: early adoption (2015-2017), expansion (2018-2020), and established treatments (2021-2025). They indexed the relative search volume (RSV) as 100 to represent the peak of interest. Researchers correlated search patterns with publication dates of major clinical trials (PARTNER 2, PARTNER 3, Evolut Low Risk, NOTION-3), stratified US states by TAVR program density, and used Wilcoxon tests and Spearman correlations for statistical analysis.
TAVR search volume increased by 340% from 2015 to 2025 (median RSV 18-79, p<0.001). Meanwhile, SAVR searches decreased by 42% (RSV 58-34, p<0.001). The TAVR/SAVR search ratio has increased exponentially from 0.31 in 2015 to 2.32 in 2025. The trial launch of PARTNER 3 (March 2019) coincided with the steepest inflection point, with TAVR searches increasing by 156% within 3 months. Geographic analysis showed that states with established TAVR programs had 3.2 times more TAVR-related searches than states with fewer (p<0.001). Interest in SAVR is higher in rural states and regions with fewer programs, suggesting a persistent gap in awareness toward less invasive options.
TAVR is no longer a new alternative, but is becoming a fundamental approach to care for the millions of people with valvular heart disease. Some communities, especially rural areas, have fewer modern treatment options, which can delay timely treatment. By providing targeted education and sharing real-world results, clinicians and educators can help patients make informed decisions and expand access to minimally invasive treatments in all regions. ”
Smith Frimpong, MD, internal medicine resident at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and first author of the study
The authors note that additional analyzes may be conducted in the future to examine how differences in awareness affect treatment decisions and patient outcomes.
sauce:
Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions
