Abstract Background Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the recommended therapy for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are not suitable candidates for surgery. The aim of this study was to describe early experience and long-term follow-up with the CoreValve self-expanding aortic prosthesis at 42 Ibero-American hospitals. Methods Multiple centre observational study including 1220 consecutive patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis who are not suitable candidates for surgery and underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the self-expanding Medtronic CoreValve System between December 2007 and May 2012. Results The registry included 1220 consecutive patients with a mean age of 80.8 ± 6.3 years and a mean logistic euroSCORE of 17.8% ± 13%. The procedural success rate was 96.1%. Hospital mortality was 7.3% and combined end-point was 21.3%. Aortic regurgitation after TAVI was present in 24.5% (Sellers grade ≥ 2). The estimated 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 82.1% and 73.4% respectively. The following issues were significant independent risk factors for hospital mortality: acute kidney failure (odds ratio 3.55); stroke (odds ratio 5.72); major bleeding (odds ratio 2.64) and euroSCORE (odds ratio 1.02). Long-term predictors of mortality were diabetes mellitus (hazard ratio 1.59, 95% confidence interval 1.09–2.31), severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (hazard ratio 1.85, 95% confidence interval 1.85–2.88), and functional classes NYHA III–IV (hazard ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.70). Conclusions Transcatheter aortic valve implantation constitutes a safe and viable therapeutic option for high operative risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Long-term prognosis is conditioned by associate comorbidities.