Sarcopenia did not preclude quality of life improvements after TAVR, with both sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients showing significant improvements in overall TASQ scores at 3 months (p < 0.01).
Cohort (n=99)
Does transcatheter aortic valve replacement improve quality of life in sarcopenic compared to non-sarcopenic patients with severe aortic stenosis?
TAVR significantly improves quality of life at 3 months in patients with severe aortic stenosis, regardless of baseline sarcopenia status.
p-value: p=<0.01
Background: Sarcopenia is the core component of frailty; however, its role in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a matter of debate. The Toronto Aortic Stenosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (TASQ) is a validated instrument for assessing quality of life (QoL) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Aims: We aim to evaluate the QoL of sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR. Methods: TASQ was prospectively administered to patients undergoing TAVR. All patients completed the TASQ before TAVR and at a 3-month follow-up. The study population was divided in two groups according to sarcopenic status. The primary endpoint was the TASQ score in the sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic cohorts. Results: In total, 99 patients were eligible for the analysis. In both sarcopenic (n = 56) and non-sarcopenic (n = 43) cohorts, significant changes were observed in the overall TASQ score and in all but one (i.e., health expectations) of the individual domains (p < 0.01). Sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients showed substantial improvements across TASQ subscores. The mean change in overall TASQ score at three months revealed a significant improvement in both cohorts (p < 0.01). Health expectations worsened in sarcopenic patients at the 3-month follow-up (p = 0.06). Conclusions: The TASQ questionnaire revealed changes in QoL after TAVR, regardless of patients’ sarcopenic status. Health status improved substantially in both sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients following TAVR. Lack of improvement in health expectations seems to depend on patients’ expectations regarding the procedure and specific aspects in the evaluation of the outcome.
Pesarini et al. (Mon,) conducted a cohort in Severe aortic stenosis (n=99). Sarcopenia vs. Non-sarcopenic was evaluated on TASQ score in the sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic cohorts (p=<0.01). Sarcopenia did not preclude quality of life improvements after TAVR, with both sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients showing significant improvements in overall TASQ scores at 3 months (p < 0.01).