Sex-based differences in outcomes with bivalirudin or unfractionated heparin for transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Results from the BRAVO-3 randomized trial

Background Women comprise almost 50% of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and previous studies have indicated higher rates of procedural complications and bleeding in women compared to men. It is unknown whether men and women demonstrate a differential response to bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin (UFH) in TAVR. We sought to evaluate outcomes by sex and type of anticoagulant from the Bivalirudin Versus Heparin Anticoagulation in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (BRAVO-3) trial of transfemoral TAVR. Methods BRAVO-3 was a randomized multicenter trial comparing transfemoral TAVR with bivalirudin versus UFH (31 centers, n = 802). The primary endpoin…