Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here):
Background:
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is frequently associated with stroke due to debris embolization. Although the risk of stroke with the newer-generation devices is lower, stroke still represents a significant cause of mortality and morbidity after TAVR. The Sentinel cerebral embolic protection (CEP) device (Boston Scientific) is a dual embolic filter device designed to capture debris dislodged during TAVR. The current literature concerning the efficacy of Sentinel CEP in the reduction of stroke in patients undergoing TAVR is limited and inconsistent.

Aim: This meta-analysis aimed to compare clinical outcomes with Sentinel CEP device in patients undergoing TAVR.

Methods:
A comprehensive systematic literature search was performed on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Clinicaltrial.gov from inception until 1st May 2024 to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and propensity-matched studies comparing TAVR with and without the Sentinel CEP device. Pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results:
6 studies with a total of 25,130 patients undergoing TAVR (12608: Sentinel CEP device; 12522: Without Sentinel CEP device) were included in this meta-analysis. The use of the Sentinel CEP device in TAVR was associated with a statistically significant lower risk of acute kidney injury [OR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.97; p=0.01]. The use of Sentinel CEP device in TAVR was associated with a statistically insignificant trend towards reduction in stroke [OR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.58, 1.10; p=0.18], all-cause mortality [OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.51, 1.07; p=0.11], and major vascular complications [OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.46, 1.19; p=0.21].

Conclusion:
The use of the Sentinel CEP device in patients undergoing TAVR does not lead to a statistically significant reduction in stroke, all-cause mortality, and major vascular complications; however, the risk of acute kidney injury is lower. Large, multicentric RCTs are warranted to corroborate the findings of this meta-analysis.