Acute ischemic stroke complicating tavi. predictors, outcomes, and treatment associated outcomes

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Despite the great strides made since the emergence of TAVI two decades ago, periprocedural ischemic stroke remains a major concern. The aims of this study were to describe the incidence, characteristic and outcomes of patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke complicating TAVI (AISCT), and to compare conservative therapy vs. neurointervention, in eligible patients. Material and method We analyzed consecutive TAVI procedures performed in our medical center between 2008 and 2021. Patients with and without AISCT were compared. Outcomes of neurointervention to treat AISCT were compared to conservative therapy. Primary outcomes were mortality at 1 and 3 year and neurologic disability status at 3 months. Results and discussion Of 1145 eligible patients who underwent TAVI between 2008-2019, 29 (2.5%) had AISCT within 30 days. All-cause mortality was significantly higher in the AISCT group in 30-days (13.8% vs. 2.9%, p<0.01), 1-year (27.9% vs. 8.1%, p<0.01), and 3-years (50.1% vs. 25.1%, p<0.01), as compared to the AISCT negative group. Lower body mass index (OR- 1.11, 95%CI 1.01-1.21, p=0.03) prior ischemic stroke (OR- 2.80, 95%CI 1.23-6.01, p<0.01) and frailty (OR- 2.98, 95%CI 1.27-6.49, p<0.01) emerged as independent risk factors for stroke. Out of the 38 patients who suffered AISCT between 2008-2021, 7 underwent neurointervention. The majority of AISCT were observed within the first 24-hours following TAVI (p<0.01). All-cause mortality following severe stroke was significantly higher (p<0.01) compare to mild or moderate stroke. There were no significant differences in mortality between the two groups, however, patients with moderate severity stroke (NIHSS score 6-14) undergoing neurointervention enjoyed a higher rate of disability free survival at 3-months compared to patients treated conservatively. (100% compared to 50% respectively, p=NS). Conclusion AISCT was associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Neurointervention, as compared to conservative therapy, may improve disability status in patients with moderate or severe stroke.