The sample in the RESPOND study comprised over one thousand patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis who were at elevated risk of serious surgical complications, according to local heart team evaluations at 41 centers across Europe, New Zealand, and Latin America. Patients included in the study were deemed to benefit from valve replacement but faced high surgical risks by local standards. The cohort had a mean age of 80.8 years, with 50.8% being female, and a mean baseline Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score of 6.0%.