Abstract
Objectives:
We describe the outcome of 168 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This cohort includes the first in man transarterial and off-pump transapical patients.
Methods:
The balloon-expandable aortic prosthesis was implanted via the femoral artery or left ventricular apex in 113 and 58 patients respectively. Data are described as 1–57, 58 –114 femoral and 1–58 apical procedures, respectively. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up occurred at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months. Unsuccessful cases were censored at 30 days.
Results:
Mean age was 82.5 years (range 50 –97) with 57% males. Procedural success was 94.2% [88%, 96%, & 98%] with no unsuccessful procedures in the last 46 cases. One patient had a successful transfemoral procedure after a prior failure, and 3 patients had successful transapical procedures following failed transfemoral attempts. Logistic EuroSCORE and STS predicted 30-day surgical mortality was 31% [28.4%, 29.1% & 36%], and 10.4% [8.9%, 9.6% & 12.6%] respectively. Observed 30-day mortality was 10.5% [10.5%, 3.5%, & 17.2%], and 0% in the last 39 trans-femoral cases. Intra-procedural mortality was 1.1% [1.8%, 0% & 1.7%]. Peri-procedural stroke occurred in 4% [3.5%, 7%, & 1.7%]. Median hospital stay was 5 days [4, 5, & 7]. Survival at 1, 6, 12 and 24 months was 88%, 80%, 74% [73.9%, 84%, & 65.6%] and 61%. AVA, MG, LVEF and MR significantly improved post TAVI (Table 1
), and MR, EF, and NYHA class significantly improved during follow-up. MG did not increase during follow-up, but AVA decreased slightly at 1 year (mean difference: 0.2±0.54cm
2
, p=0.04). Mild paravalvular AR was common but severe AR was not observed post-implant or at follow-up.
Conclusion:
TAVI provides sustained clinical benefit for up to 2 years in patients with symptomatic severe AS and high operative risk. Procedural outcome continues to improve with experience and device development.
Table 1:
Echocardiographic follow-up