Improvement of mitral regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

Abstract

Objectives To assess the change in mitral regurgitation (MR) severity after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Background Mitral regurgitation (MR) is frequently present in patients with calcific aortic stenosis (AS). Following surgical aortic valve replacement, improvement in MR is reported in 27–82% of the patients. The changes in MR severity following TAVI are unknown. Methods From April 2009 to January 2011, 57 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis underwent TAVI [40 cases Edwards Sapien valve (Edwards Lifesciences Inc, Irvine CA), and 17 cases the CoreValve ReValving System]. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed before and 3 months after successful TAVI procedure. MR was assessed by expert readers and by color flow mapping and was graded as none (grade 0), mild (grade 1), moderate (grade 2), moderately severe (grade 3) or severe (grade 4). Results The mean MR grade was 1.7 ± 1.0 and 0.9 ± 0.7 pre- and post-TAVI respectively ( p value Conclusions MR improved significantly after TAVI for severe AS. Further study with careful echocardiographic evaluation of the mitral valve prior to TAVI may help to predict which patients should experience an improvement in their MR.