The interaction of de novo and pre-existing aortic regurgitation after TAVI: insights from a new quantitative aortographic technique

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intermediate-term clinical impact of aortic regurgitation (AR) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using a novel quantitative angiographic method taking into account the influence of pre-existing AR. METHODS AND RESULTS: AR after TAVI was quantified in 338 patients (age 82 [78-86] years; 55% male) and the influence on intermediate-term all-cause mortality was evaluated. In 228 aortograms, AR was quantitated using a dedicated videodensitometric method focused in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT-AR). Patients with LVOT-AR >0.17 had a significantly increased all-cause mortality at three years, compared with patients who had LVOT-AR ≤0.17 (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-2.86, p=0.032). Taking the influence of pre-existing AR into account, patients with post-procedural LVOT-AR >0.17 and ≤mild pre-existing AR had a significantly increased mortality at two years, compared to patients with LVOT-AR >0.17 and >mild pre-existing AR (HR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.16-5.58, p=0.029). In those with >mild pre-existing AR (n=70), post-TAVI LVOT-AR >0.17 was not associated with increased mortality (HR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.31-1.91, p=0.578). CONCLUSIONS: AR after TAVI could be quantitated utilising LVOT-AR. The cut-point of >0.17 indicates a significant AR pertaining to increased intermediate-term mortality, especially in those with no significant pre-existing AR.