Quality of life among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been introduced to offer a new treatment option for patients who are not eligible for conventional aortic valve replacement. Especially in this subset of patients, the expected improvement of quality of life (QoL) after valve implantation will be critical for decision-making for TAVI. Methods: We performed a prospective analysis of 99 patients (41 male) aged 82 years (range 57-94 years) who underwent TAVI. For assessment of QoL, the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire was used preoperatively and 3 months after TAVI. Results: Thirty-day mortality rate was 10.1%. The Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire scores for physical functioning (34.7 ± 2.8 vs 48.5 ± 3.4, P < .001), bodily pain (61.7 ± 3.1 vs 73.2 ± 2.9, P < .01), general health (47.1 ± 1.9 vs 54.1 ± 2.3, P < .01), and vitality (37 ± 2.8 vs 46.1 ± 2.7, P < .01) increased significantly 3 months after TAVI compared with preoperative scores. No significant changes were found for role-physical (21.7 ± 4.1 vs 31.1 ± 5.1, P < .08), social functioning (74.6 ± 3.4 vs 74.6 ± 3.1, P = 1), and mental health (63 ± 2.9 vs 67.4 ± 2.2, P = .17) 3 months after TAVI. Only the score for role-emotional (69.3 ± 5.6 vs 51.7 ± 6, P = .02) decreased significantly 3 months after TAVI compared with the preoperative score. Corresponding to these results, the physical health summarized score (31.2 ± 1.2 vs 38.6 ± 1.6, P < .001) was significantly increased 3 months after TAVI compared with the preoperative score, whereas the mental health summarized score (48.5 ± 1.8 vs 47.3 ± 1.7, P = .5) showed no changes. Conclusion: In patients who are not eligible for conventional aortic valve replacement, TAVI leads to a considerable QoL improvement within 3 months after valve implantation.