Improvements in transcatheter aortic valve implantation outcomes in lower surgical risk patients: A glimpse into the future

Ruediger Lange, Sabine Bleiziffer, Domenico Mazzitelli, Yacine Elhmidi, Anke Opitz, Marcus Krane, Marcus Andre Deutsch, Hendrik Ruge, Gernot Brockmann, Bernhard Voss, Christian Schreiber, Peter Tassani, Nicolo Piazza

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

142 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the evolution of patient selection criteria for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and its impact on clinical outcomes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that patient selection for TAVI is shifting toward lower surgical risk patients. The extent of this shift and its impact on clinical outcomes, however, are currently unknown. We conducted a single-center study that subcategorized TAVI patients into quartiles (Q1 to Q4) defined by enrollment date. These subgroups were subsequently examined for differences in baseline characteristics and 30-day and 6-month mortality rate. The relationship between quartiles and mortality rate was examined using unadjusted and adjusted (for baseline characteristics) Cox proportional hazard models. Each quartile included 105 patients (n = 420). Compared with Q4 patients, Q1 patients had higher logistic EuroSCORES (25.4 ± 16.1% vs. 17.8 ± 12.0%, p < 0.001), higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons scores (7.1 ± 5.5% vs. 4.8 ± 2.6%, p > 0.001), and higher median N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide levels (3,495 vs. 1,730 ng/dl, p < 0.046). From Q1 to Q4, the crude 30-day and 6-month mortality rate decreased significantly from 11.4% to 3.8% (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11 to 1.01; p = 0.053) and from 23.5% to 12.4% (unadjusted HR: 0.49; 95 CI: 0.25 to 0.95; p = 0.07), respectively. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, there were no significant differences between Q1 and Q4 in 30-day mortality rate (adjusted HR ratio: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.08 to 1.08; p = 0.07) and 6-month mortality rate (HR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.25 to 1.77; p = 0.42). The results of this study demonstrate an important paradigm shift toward the selection of lower surgical risk patients for TAVI. Significantly better clinical outcomes can be expected in lower than in higher surgical risk patients undergoing TAVI.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)280-287
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology
Volume59
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 17 Jan 2012

Keywords

  • aortic stenosis
  • transcatheter aortic
  • valve implantation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Improvements in transcatheter aortic valve implantation outcomes in lower surgical risk patients: A glimpse into the future'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this