Analysis of heterogeneity of the different health technology assessment reports produced on the transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis at low surgical risk.

Background: Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis is a congenital or acquired aortic valve disease that occurs when the aortic valve of the heart narrows. It represents the most common valvular disease in adults and generally has a degenerative nature. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), due to its non-invasive approach, has become the standard treatment in patients who are ineligible to surgery or at high surgical risk, and it is also increasingly being performed in patients at intermediate to low surgical risk. The aim is to analyze the heterogeneity and explore the limitations of current health technology assessments (HTAs) on TAVI. Methods: For the purpose of this analysis, a review of the literature based on manual research was performed. A population, intervention, comparators, and outcome (PICO) model was used to gather the HTA reports assessing TAVI in the treatment of patients affected by symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis at low surgical risk. Furthermore, a manual search has been developed to also include assessments from the Haute Autorité de Santé. Results: At the end of the investigation, a certain degree of heterogeneity in the evidence factored and in the recommendations on the technology has emerged. Relative to the clinical domains, the main drivers for the disparity are found in the type of evidence considered and in the use or not of the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) methodology to evaluate the quality of the clinical evidence included. Another element concerns the chosen device generation assessed within the evaluation. In order to perform the economic evaluation, a cost-utility analysis and a budget impact model were developed. Despite some elements of heterogeneity, the economic assessments demonstrate a favorable or dominant cost-effectiveness profile for TAVI compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Conclusion: Despite the presence of heterogeneity elements both in clinical and economic domains, HTA agencies reached the same recommendations on the use of TAVI. It emerged the need for a centralized vision on the "strong" domains, which means giving up freedom to local bodies to adapt to their context on the "soft" ones. This approach could have the potential to strengthen the role of HTA in Europe by ensuring faster decision-making and equity of access to health innovations and reduce the heterogeneity in the assessment methods.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Long-Term Outcomes and Durability.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the standard of care in symptomatic older patients with severe aortic stenosis regardless of surgical risk. With the development of newer generation transcatheter bioprostheses, improved delivery systems, better preprocedure planning with imaging guidance, increased operator experience, shorter hospital length of stay, and low short- and mid-term complication rates, TAVI is gaining popularity among younger patients at low or intermediate surgical risk. Long-term outcomes and durability of transcatheter heart valves have become substantially important for this younger population due to their longer life expectancy. The lack of standardized definitions of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction and disagreement about how to account for the competing risks made comparison of transcatheter heart valves with surgical bioprostheses challenging until recently. In this review, the authors discuss the mid- to long-term (≥ 5 years) clinical outcomes observed in the landmark TAVI trials and analyze the available long-term durability data emphasizing the importance of using standardized definitions of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction.

Metabolomic Profiling in Patients with Different Hemodynamic Subtypes of Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis.

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is a common pathological condition in an ageing population imposing significant morbidity and mortality. Based on distinct hemodynamic features, i.e., ejection fraction (EF), transvalvular gradient and stroke volume, four different AS subtypes can be distinguished: (i) normal EF and high gradient, (ii) reduced EF and high gradient, (iii) reduced EF and low gradient, and (iv) normal EF and low gradient. These subtypes differ with respect to pathophysiological mechanisms, cardiac remodeling, and prognosis. However, little is known about metabolic changes in these different hemodynamic conditions of AS. Thus, we carried out metabolomic analyses in serum samples of 40 AS patients (n = 10 per subtype) and 10 healthy blood donors (controls) using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy. A total of 1293 biochemicals could be identified. Principal component analysis revealed different metabolic profiles in all of the subgroups of AS (All-AS) vs. controls. Out of the determined biochemicals, 48% (n = 620) were altered in All-AS vs. controls (p < 0.05). In this regard, levels of various acylcarnitines (e.g., myristoylcarnitine, fold-change 1.85, p < 0.05), ketone bodies (e.g., 3-hydroxybutyrate, fold-change 11.14, p < 0.05) as well as sugar metabolites (e.g., glucose, fold-change 1.22, p < 0.05) were predominantly increased, whereas amino acids (e.g., leucine, fold-change 0.8, p < 0.05) were mainly reduced in All-AS. Interestingly, these changes appeared to be consistent amongst all AS subtypes. Distinct differences between AS subtypes were found for metabolites belonging to hemoglobin metabolism, diacylglycerols, and dihydrosphingomyelins. These findings indicate that relevant changes in substrate utilization appear to be consistent for different hemodynamic subtypes of AS and may therefore reflect common mechanisms during AS-induced heart failure. Additionally, distinct metabolites could be identified to significantly differ between certain AS subtypes. Future studies need to define their pathophysiological implications.

Transapical Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Real-World Early and Mid-Term Outcome of a Third-Level Centre.

BACKGROUND: Transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TA-TAVR) is generally considered to be associated with higher morbidity compared with transfemoral-TAVR. However, TA-TAVR remains a feasible alternative for patients who are unsuitable for TF-TAVR. It has been shown that outcomes after TAVR are linked to the operator's expertise. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to report short- and mid-term outcomes after TA-TAVR performed by an expert Heart-Team of a third-level centre. METHODS: From 2015 to 2022, 154 consecutive patients underwent TA-TAVR. The outcomes were analysed according to the VARC-3 criteria. Kaplan-Meier curves were estimated for major clinical events at mid-term follow-up. RESULTS: The mean age of the population was 79.3 years and the STS risk-score of mortality was 4.2 ± 3.6%. Periprocedural mortality was 1.9%. Acute kidney injury and prolonged ventilation occurred in 1.9%. Incidence of stroke was 0.6%. Pacemaker implantation rate was 1.9%. Freedom from cardiovascular mortality was 75.7%, and 60.2% at 3 and 5 years. Freedom from stroke was 92.3% and 88.9% at 3 and 5 years, respectively; freedom from endocarditis was 94.4% and 90.8% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: TA-TAVR may be considered a safe and effective alternative approach in patients unsuitable for TF-TAVR, especially when performed by a proficient Heart-Team.

Eficacia y seguridad del dispositivo de prótesis valvular aórtico percutáneo para estenosis aórtica severa / Efficacy and safety of the valve prosthesis device percutaneous aortic valve for severe aortic stenosis

INTRODUCCIÓN: La Estenosis Aórtica (EA) es la valvulopatía más frecuente en el mundo, cuya incidencia se va incrementando con el envejecimiento de la población; su etiología se asocia a la calcificación de la válvula con una prevalencia del 50%-70% en pacientes de la tercera edad; que por lo general son individuos que poseían una válvula aórtica anatómicamente normal que desarrolla calcificación entre la sexta y séptima década de la vida. La estenosis aórtica severa es una condición que afecta a las personas en edad avanzada, consiste en la obstrucción del flujo sanguíneo a través de la válvula aórtica debido a la fibrosis y calcificación de la misma, comprendida como un área de la válvula aórtica (AVA) < 1,0 cm2 y/o un gradiente medio de presión transaórtica (MPG) > 40 mm Hg y/o una velocidad máxima del chorro aórtico (Vmax) > 4 m/s. Un 30% del total de pacientes que padecen estenosis aórtica severa tienen riesgo quirúrgico muy elevado para cirugía convencional. Entre ellos figuran los pacientes de edad avanzada, a quienes se les debe evitar este tipo de cirugía, así como la circulación extracorpórea. Uno de los tratamientos más recientes para esta condición médica es el reemplazo percutáneo de la válvula aórtica o reemplazo transcatéter de la válvula aórtica. El Implante o reemplazo transcatéter de válvula aórtica, es una técnica en la que se puede implantar una válvula aórtica artificial guiada a través de un catéter introducido por punción de una arteria (femoral, axilar, aorta) o por la punta del corazón (vía apical). Todo ello sin parar el corazón ni necesitar seccionar de forma completa el esternón (como en la cirugía convencional) ni usar circulación extracorpórea. OBJETIVO: El objetivo de la presente Evaluación de tecnología sanitaria (ETS) es evaluar la eficacia y seguridad, así como documentos relacionados a la decisión de cobertura con el del dispositivo prótesis valvular aórtico percutáneo o transcatéter de válvula aórtica en el tratamiento de pacientes con estenosis aórtica severa y con elevado riesgo quirúrgico o inoperables por cirugía convencional. METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó una búsqueda en las principales bases de datos bibliográficas: MEDLINE, LILACS, COCHRANE, así como en buscadores genéricos de Internet incluyendo Google Scholar. TRIPDATABASE, hasta el 11 de mayo de 2022. Adicionalmente, se hizo una búsqueda dentro de la información generada por las principales agencias de tecnologías sanitarias y guías de práctica clínica. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 9 Revisiones sistemáticas (RS), 4 Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias (ETS) y una evaluación económica (EC) realizada para Chile. No se identificaron EC para Perú, ni Guías de Práctica Clínica (GPC) que puedan responder la pregunta PICO. La más reciente revisión sistemática del año 2021, incorpora la evidencia actualizada de los dos grandes ensayos clínicos que responden la pregunta, mientras que las demás RS incluyen parte de estos ensayos. La evaluación de la calidad de la RS más reciente ha sido valorada como baja debido a que solo presenta un criterio crítico. CONCLUSIONES La evidencia identificada en relación al implante valvular aórtico percutáneo para estenosis aórtica severa en pacientes con elevado riesgo quirúrgico, encontró que no se encuentran diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos grupos en los desenlaces de: mortalidad por todas las causas, mortalidad por causa cardiovascular, stroke, stroke mayor discapacitante, infarto de miocardio, endocarditis, reintervención o reparación, hasta luego de 5 años de seguimiento. Se observó un menor riesgo para TAVI comparado con SAVR para los desenlaces: sangrado mayor, nuevo inicio o empeoramiento de fibrilación auricular. Por otro lado, se observó un mayor riesgo con TAVI comparado con SAVR para complicaciones vasculares mayores e implantación de marcapasos permanente.

Current issues on simultaneous TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) and EVAR (Endovascular Aneurysm Repair).

Simultaneous EVAR and TAVR is technically feasible and is a reliable option in high-risk patients.

Influence of coronary artery disease and percutaneous coronary intervention on mid-term outcomes in patients with aortic valve stenosis treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: A high frequency of coronary artery disease (CAD) is reported in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, the optimal management of CAD in these patients remains unknown. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesis that AS patients with TAVI complicated by CAD have poor prognosis. His study evaluates the prognoses of patients with CAD and severe AS after TAVI. METHODS: We divided 186 patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI into three groups: those with CAD involving the left main coronary (LM) or proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) lesion (the CAD[LADp] group), those with CAD not involving the LM or a LAD proximal lesion (the CAD[non-LADp] group), and those without CAD (Non-CAD group). Clinical outcomes were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: The CAD[LADp] group showed a higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) and all-cause mortality than the other two groups (log-rank p = .001 and p = .008, respectively). Even after adjustment for STS score and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) before TAVI, CAD[LADp] remained associated with MACCE and all-cause mortality. However, PCI for an LM or LAD proximal lesion pre-TAVI did not reduce the risk of these outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: CAD with an LM or LAD proximal lesion is a strong independent predictor of mid-term MACCEs and all-cause mortality in patients with severe AS treated with TAVI. PCI before TAVI did not influence the outcomes.

Differential diagnostic and treatment difficulties in a patient with acquired von Willebrand syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) is a rare, frequently underdiagnosed and underestimated bleeding disorder. Careful personal and family history and late-onset mucocutaneous bleeding could help clarify the etiology of bleeding deficiency. CASE PRESENTATION: An 82-year-old male patient was admitted to our clinic with a severe nosebleed on 30.05.2018. Laboratory results revealed thrombocytosis, elevated white blood cell count and high LDH. Basic coagulation parameters were normal. He was referred to our clinic, where a bone marrow biopsy was taken. His personal and family history had no mention of bleeding disorders, nor was he on anticoagulant therapy. We detected elevated VWF antigen and decreased VWF ristocetin cofactor activity. Loss of high molecular weight multimers was detected by using agarose gel electrophoresis. These laboratory results were indicative of AVWS. Hydroxyurea treatment was initiated, leading to a gradual decrease in platelet count. The histological examination revealed essential thrombocytosist while mutation analysis was JAK2/CALR/MPL negative. However, due to severe nosebleeds, the patient was hospitalized and needed blood transfusion. A cardiological check-up revealed the progression of aortic valve stenosis. After, balloon-dilation a transcatheter aortic valve implantation was performed. As a result, VWF activity and activity to antigen ratio returned to normal as did multimeric structure. In July 2019, the follow-up examination showed that the patient was in a satisfactory condition, with normal hematological parameters, and no new nosebleed episode occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The patient complained of recurring nosebleeds, which stopped completely after the resolution of both underlying conditions successful cytoreductive treatment of triple-negative ET and transcatheteric aortic valve replacement.

Clinical outcomes of renal and liver transplant patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: analysis of national inpatient sample database.

Background: The transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has recently gained traction as a viable alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), but data on its safety and clinical outcomes in transplant patients are limited.Methods: We retrieved relevant demographic and clinical outcome data from the U.S. National Inpatient Sample (NIS) for the year 2012-2015. The clinical outcomes of TAVR in renal transplant (RT) and liver transplant (LT) were ascertained using an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) on Mantzel-Hensel test.Results: A total of 62,399 TAVR patients were identified; 62,180 (99.6%) with no history of transplant, 219 (0.4%) with RT and 85 (0.1%) with LT. There was no significant difference in odds of in-hospital mortality (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.25-1.5, p = 0.37), major cardiovascular, respiratory or neurological complications in patients with and without RT. Similarly, the odds of cardiac complications, renal and neurological complications between patients with and without LT were identical.Conclusion: Compared to non-transplant patients, TAVR appears to be associated with similar odds of major systemic complications or mortality in patients with a history of kidney or liver transplant.

Racial Differences in the Use of Aortic Valve Replacement for Treatment of Symptomatic Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis in the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Era.

Background Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is a life-saving treatment for patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis. We sought to determine whether transcatheter AVR has resulted in a more equitable treatment rate by race in the United States. Methods and Results A total of 32 853 patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis were retrospectively identified via Optum's deidentified electronic health records database (2007-2017). AVR rates in non-Hispanic Black and White patients were assessed in the year after diagnosis. Multivariate Fine-Gray hazards models were used to evaluate the likelihood of AVR by race, with adjustment for patient factors and the managing cardiologist. Time-trend and 1-year symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis survival analyses were also performed. From 2011 to 2016, the rate of AVR increased from 20.1% to 37.1%. Overall, Black individuals were less likely than Whites to receive AVR (22.9% versus 31.0%; unadjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.70; 95% CI, 0.62-0.79; fully adjusted HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.67-0.85). Yet, during 2015 to 2016, AVR racial differences were attenuated (29.5% versus 35.2%; adjusted HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74-1.02) because of greater uptake of transcatheter AVR in Blacks than Whites (53.4% of AVRs versus 47.3%; P=0.128). Untreated patients had significantly higher 1-year mortality than those treated (adjusted HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.53-0.61), which was consistent by race (interaction P value=0.52). Conclusions Although transcatheter AVR has increased the use of AVR in the United States, treatment rates remain low. Black patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis were less likely than White patients to receive AVR, yet these differences have recently narrowed.

"Pure" severe aortic stenosis without concomitant valvular heart diseases: echocardiographic and pathophysiological features.

PURPOSE: In echocardiography the severity of aortic stenosis (AS) is defined by effective orifice area (EOA), mean pressure gradient (mPGAV) and transvalvular flow velocity (maxVAV). The hypothesis of the present study was to confirm the pathophysiological presence of combined left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), diastolic dysfunction (DD) and pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) in patients with "pure" severe AS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients (n = 306) with asymptomatic (n = 133) and symptomatic (n = 173) "pure" severe AS (mean age 78 ± 9.5 years) defined by indexed EOA < 0.6 cm2 were enrolled between 2014 and 2016. AS patients were divided into 4 subgroups according to mPGAV and indexed left ventricular stroke volume: low flow (LF) low gradient (LG)-AS (n = 133), normal flow (NF) LG-AS (n = 91), LF high gradient (HG)-AS (n = 21) and NFHG-AS (n = 61). Patients with "pure" severe AS showed mean mPGAV of 31.7 ± 9.1 mmHg and mean maxVAV of 3.8 ± 0.6 m/s. Only 131 of 306 patients (43%) exhibited mPGAV > 40 mmHg and maxVAV > 4 m/s documenting incongruencies of the AS severity assessment by Doppler echocardiography. LVH was documented in 81%, DD in 76% and PAH in 80% of AS patients. 54% of "pure" AS patients exhibited all three alterations. Ranges of mPGAV and maxVAV were higher in patients with all three alterations compared to patients with less than three. 224 (73%) patients presented LG-conditions and 82 (27%) HG-conditions. LVH was predominant in NF-AS (p = 0.014) and PAH in LFHG-AS (p = 0.014). Patients' treatment was retrospectively assessed (surgery: n = 100, TAVI: n = 48, optimal medical treatment: n = 156). CONCLUSION: In patients with "pure" AS according to current guidelines the presence of combined LVH, DD and PAH as accepted pathophysiological sequelae of severe AS cannot be confirmed. Probably, the detection of these secondary cardiac alterations might improve the diagnostic algorithm to avoid overestimation of AS severity.

Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis: Symptoms, Biochemical Markers, and Global Longitudinal Strain.

BACKGROUND: According to the actual guidelines regarding severe aortic valve stenosis (AS), symptoms are the most important trigger for aortic valve replacement (AVR). However, the objective analysis of cardiological clinic can be confused, considering the aging population this disease affects and the comorbidities. OBJECTIVES: Looking for an objective marker of disease, useful for scheduling the correct AVR, we researched the relation between some biochemical markers of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and its global longitudinal strain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 74 consecutive patients (82 ± 4 years) with severe AS. We identified 61 patients with symptoms (angina, dyspnea, and syncope) and 13 asymptomatic patients. The clinical and echocardiographic parameters were compared between these two groups. LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), NT-pro-B-type brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), troponin T (TNT), creatine kinase-MB (CPK-MB), and myoglobin were determined at the time of evaluation. RESULTS: Compared with the asymptomatic group, patients in the symptomatic group had a lower LVGLS (P = 0.002) and an increased pro-BNP (P = 0.0002). LVGLS showed a good correlation with pro-BNP as a marker of myocardial damage, with a linear increase of pro-BNP in patients with a linear decrease of LVGLS (r = 0.43). Despite the normal value of LVEF > 50% in asymptomatic patients, some of them (46%) have an early dysfunction of LVGLS. No other statistically significant difference emerged from the biochemical analysis, in TNT (P = 0.29), CPK-MB (P = 0.36), and myoglobin (P = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: Pro-BNP and LVGLS can be considered an objective marker of clinical severity of AS disease, useful for management and scheduling of AVR, especially in asymptomatic patients.

Anomalous Origin of the Right Coronary Artery from the Left Main Coronary Artery in the Setting of Critical Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis.

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (ARCA) is an extremely rare cardiac pathology. The coronary artery can potentially course between the aorta and the pulmonary artery, putting the patient at risk for sudden cardiac death. Even rarer is an ARCA that arises from the left main coronary artery (LMCA). To our knowledge, this is the first case where an ARCA arising entirely from the LMCA is associated with critical bicuspid aortic valve stenosis.

Lo mejor del Congreso ACC 2018 / The best of the 2018 ACC Congress

Resumen: Del 10 al 12 de marzo de este año se celebró la reunión número 67 del congreso anual del American College of Cardiology (ACC), la cual tuvo lugar en el Orange County Convention Center, de la ciudad de Orlando, Florida. Sin duda, uno de los eventos más destacados de la agenda cardiológica, contó con la participación de más de 13.000 profesionales, con destacados invitados internacionales y múltiples actividades científicas. Uno de los puntos más esperados del evento fue la presentación de los ensayos clínicos; entre los 2.719 resúmenes aceptados, fueron 20 los trabajos seleccionados para ser presentados en las sesiones de Late Breaking Clinical Trials y 17 en las sesiones de Investigación Clínica1,2,3. Realizaremos un breve resumen de algunos de los principales trabajos científicos presentados. ( The ODYSSEY Outcomes Trial. Alirocumab in Patients After Acute Coronary Syndrome. ( Vest Prevention of Early Sudden Death Trial (VEST). ( TREAT Trial. Ticagrelor vs. Clopidogrel After Fibrinolytic Therapy in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction. ( NOTION. Five-Year Outcomes From the All-Comers Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention Randomized Clinical Trial in Patients with Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis. ( Clinical Outcomes of His Bundle Pacing Compared to Right Ventricular Pacing.

Summary: From March 10 to 12 of this year, the 67th annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) was held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Undoubtedly, one of the most outstanding events of the cardiological agenda, was attended by more than 13.000 professionals, with prominent international guests and multiple scientific activities. One of the most awaited points of the event was the presentation of the clinical trials; among the 2.719 accepted abstracts, there were 20 works selected to be presented in the Late Breaking Clinical Trials sessions and 17 in the Clinical Research sessions1,2,3 We will make a brief summary of some of the main scientific trials presented: ( The ODYSSEY Outcomes Trial. Alirocumab in Patients After Acute Coronary Syndrome. ( Vest Prevention of Early Sudden Death Trial (VEST). ( TREAT Trial. Ticagrelor vs. Clopidogrel After Fibrinolytic Therapy in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction. ( NOTION: Five-Year Outcomes From the All-Comers Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention Randomized Clinical Trial in Patients with Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis. ( Clinical Outcomes of His Bundle Pacing Compared to Right Ventricular Pacing.

Patient-reported outcomes after referral for possible valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important outcome after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). To improve interpretation of HRQoL, mean score change and change in terms of minimal important difference (MID) were assessed using validated instruments for measuring patient-reported outcomes in patients with severe aortic stenosis referred for possible SAVR. METHODS: Of the 442 included patients with severe aortic stenosis evaluated for possible SAVR, 351 were referred to SAVR (operated) and 91 to medical treatment (unoperated). At presurgical evaluation and 1 year postoperatively, HRQoL was assessed using SF-36v2 and EQ-5D. Results were compared with outcomes reported in unoperated patients. We explored the association of clinical factors and improvements corresponding to MID. RESULTS: Among the operated patients, statistically significant change was found for EQ-5D scores and SF-36 scale scores for physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality and physical summary score. The largest proportion of operated patients achieving change corresponding to at least MID was 61.5% for physical summary score. Change in unoperated patients also related largely to physical scales of the SF-36. However, smaller proportions of unoperated patients reported improvements, and larger proportions reported decline reaching MID. Baseline scores, but no clinical covariates, were consistently associated with improved HRQoL reaching MID across instruments for those referred to SAVR. CONCLUSIONS: This study found improvement in HRQoL 1 year after SAVR for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Results in unoperated patients suggest that HRQoL deteriorates 1 year after evaluation of possible SAVR. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01794832).

Aortic Root Imaging and Clinical Application in 15 Patients With Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation--A Single Center Early Experience / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To study the aortic root imaging and clinical application in 15 patients with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods: A total of 15 patients with severe aortic valve stenosis received TAVI in our hospital from 2011-03 to 2013-11 were studied. The CT scan and transthoracic echocardiography were conducted to measure the aortic root anatomy and the differences of annulus size between CT and echocardiography were calculated. The prosthetic valves were selected based on CT measurement. The pre-operative accuracy of measurement was evaluated by the follow-up study at 6 months after operation. Results: The CT measured pre-operative aortic annulus short diameter was (21.5 ± 2.4) mm, long diameter was (27.3 ± 2.7) mm, the average inner diameter was (24.4 ± 2.4) mm, left ventricular out lfow (LVOF) tract long diameter was (28.3 ± 4.5) mm, the average inner diameter of LVOF was (24 ± 3.5), ascending aorta diameter was (35.3 ± 4.4) mm. The Venus Medtech A-Valve implanted in 8 patients with #26 and in 7 patients with #29. The average inner diameter of aortic annulus measured by CT was larger than transthoracic echocardiography, P Conclusion: There is a difference for aortic annulus size by CT and transthoracic echocardiography measurements. CT may presisely assess the aortic root morphology and provide strong support for TAVI.