Changes in aortic valve hemodynamics and ventricular functional measurements in patients undergoing transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement: a head-to-head comparison

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Both surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement are effective interventions for treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis. Data from landmark randomized trials have shown comparable improvement in aortic valve hemodynamics and left ventricular remodeling. Whether similar patterns will be observed in real-world practice has not been completely investigated. Purpose To compare the impact of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) on short- and intermediate-term changes in aortic valve hemodynamics and left ventricular reverse-remodeling. Methods A total of 213 patients with severe AS were referred for TAVR (n=137) or SAVR (n=76) at a single center (August/ 2015-Feb/ 2021). Patient demographics and echocardiographic parameters of aortic valve stenosis severity were collected retrospectively. Changes over-time in aortic valve area, mean gradient, dimensionless index, left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), and ventricular septal thickness were examined using linear mixed models. Results Patients undergoing TAVR were older with higher STS risk scores and a greater burden of comorbidities (Table). Over a median follow-up of 13 months (IQR 4–31), both groups experienced a significant reduction in aortic valve mean gradient (25.7 mmHg with TAVR and 18.8 mmHg with SAVR), with no significant between-group difference (P=0.15). Aortic valve dimensionless index significantly increased in TAVR and SAVR groups (0.23 and 0.13, respectively) and was more pronounced in the TAVR group (P=0.01). Similarly, aortic valve area increased significantly in both groups (0.66 cm2 and 0.42 cm2, respectively) without a significant across-group difference (P=0.07). On the other hand, left ventricular ejection fraction did not change significantly over time (−0.61 and 1.15 EF points, respectively) with no significant between-group difference at 12 months (P=0.06). Ventricular septal thickness was significantly reduced in both groups, with no significant between group difference (P=0.4; Figure). Conclusion In this real-world experience, both TAVR and SAVR were associated with significant improvement in aortic valve hemodynamic parameters and modest reverse left ventricular remodeling. Furthermore, these changes were comparable with both modalities, adding to available evidence from randomized clinical trials on beneficial effects of both TAVR and SAVR. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Table 1Figure 1