Double transcatheter balloon-expandable valve implantation for severe valve dysfunction in high-risk patients: initial experience

OBJECTIVES

Concomitant valvular heart valve disease is a frequent finding, with higher morbidity and mortality among patients undergoing redo surgical procedures. Our goal was to report our initial experience with combined transcatheter Inovare bioprosthesis implants for severe valve dysfunction.

METHODS

Among 300 transcatheter procedures, a total of 6 patients had concurrent simultaneous transcatheter bioprosthesis implants for severe mitral bioprosthesis failure (valve-in-valve), with a second valve procedure that included native aortic (n = 2) or degenerated bioprostheses in the aortic position (n = 4). During the procedures, all patients were treated with a balloon-expandable Inovare transcatheter valve, using the transapical approach.

RESULTS

Patients were highly symptomatic [New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class IV: 100%], with a mean age of 62 ± 5 years, yielding a mean European System for Cardiac Operative Risk II (EuroSCORE II) of 24.0 ± 10.1%. There was a mean of 1.6 ± 0.4 prior valve operations/patient, with a median time from prior mitral bioprosthesis surgery of 13.0 (9.2-20.0) years. Device success was 100% according to the Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium and the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria. During the hospital stay, only 1 patient required dialysis, and the median intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay were 5.0 (3.2-6.7) days and 16.0 (12.2-21.2) days, respectively. No deaths occurred at 30 days; at a median follow-up of 287 (194-437) days, 1 patient died of a non-cardiac cause and the rest of patients were in NYHA functional class I or II, with normofunctioning bioprostheses.

CONCLUSIONS

Transcatheter double valve interventions using the Inovare bioprosthesis in this initial series were shown to be a reasonable alternative to redo surgical operations. The short- and mid-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes demonstrate promising results, although future studies with a larger number of patients and longer follow-up are warranted.

The Role of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Left-sided Endocarditis: Native vs Prosthetic Valves Endocarditis

BACKGROUND

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) has emerged as a useful diagnostic tool for suspected infective endocarditis (IE) in patients with prosthetic valves or implantable devices. However, there is limited evidence regarding use of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for the diagnosis of native valve endocarditis (NVE).

METHODS

Between 2014 and 2017, 303 episodes of left-sided suspected IE (188 prosthetic valves/ascending aortic prosthesis and 115 native valves) were studied. 18F-FDG-PET/CT accuracy was determined in the subgroups of patients with NVE and prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE)/ascending aortic prosthesis infection (AAPI). Associations between inflammatory infiltrate patterns and 18F-FDG-PET/CT uptake were investigated in an exploratory ad hoc histological analysis.

RESULTS

Among 188 patients with PVE/AAPI, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 18F-FDG-PET/CT focal uptake were 93%, 90%, 89%, and 94%, respectively, while among 115 patients with NVE, the corresponding values were 22%, 100%, 100%, and 66%. The inclusion of abnormal 18F-FDG cardiac uptake as a major criterion at admission enabled a recategorization of 76% (47/62) of PVE/AAPI cases initially classified as "possible" to "definite" IE. In the histopathological analysis, a predominance of polymorphonuclear cell inflammatory infiltrate and a reduced extent of fibrosis were observed in the PVE group only.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of 18F-FDG-PET/CT at the initial presentation of patients with suspected PVE increases the diagnostic capability of the modified Duke criteria. In patients who present with suspected NVE, the use of 18F-FDG-PET/CT is less accurate and could only be considered a complementary diagnostic tool for a specific population of patients with NVE.

Non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae infective endocarditis with embolic events: a case report

Background

Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae) infections, usually related to upper airways involvement, could be highly invasive. Especially in developing countries, non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae strains are now emerging as cause of invasive disease like endocarditis. The present case stands out for reinforcing the high virulence of this pathogen, demonstrated by the multiple systemic embolism and severe valve deterioration. It also emphasizes the importance of a coordinated interdisciplinary work to address all these challenges related to infectious endocarditis.

Case presentation

A 21-year-old male cocaine drug abuser presented to the emergency department with a 1-week history of fever, asthenia and dyspnea. His physical examination revealed a mitral systolic murmur, signs of acute arterial occlusion of the left lower limb, severe arterial hypotension and acute respiratory failure, with need of vasoactive drugs, orotracheal intubation/mechanical ventilation, empiric antimicrobial therapy and emergent endovascular treatment. The clinical suspicion of acute infective endocarditis was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography, demonstrating a large vegetation on the mitral valve associated with severe valvular regurgitation. Abdominal ultrasound was normal with no hepatic, renal, or spleen abscess. Serial blood cultures and thrombus culture, obtained in the vascular procedure, identified non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae, with antibiotic therapy adjustment to monotherapy with ampicillin. Since the patient had a severe septic shock with sustained fever, despite antimicrobial therapy, urgent cardiac surgical intervention was planned. Anatomical findings were compatible with an aggressive endocarditis, requiring mitral valve replacement for a biological prosthesis. During the postoperative period, despite an initial clinical recovery and successfully weaning from mechanical ventilation, the patient presented with a recrudescent daily fever. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a hypoattenuating and extensive splenic lesion suggestive of abscess. After sonographically guided bridging percutaneous catheter drainage, surgical splenectomy was performed. Despite left limb revascularization, a forefoot amputation was required due to gangrene. The patient had a good clinical recovery, fulfilling 4-weeks of antimicrobial treatment.

Conclusion

Despite the effectiveness of toxoid-based vaccines, recent global outbreaks of invasive C. diphtheriae infectious related to non-toxigenic strains have been described. These infectious could be highly invasive as demonstrated in this case. Interdisciplinary work with an institutional “endocarditis team” is essential to achieve favorable clinical outcomes in such defiant scenarios.

Obesity paradox in 12,381 patients undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation: from the CENTER-collaboration

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a well-established treatment for symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. The majority of patients treated are overweight or obese. Obesity has traditionally been linked to reduced survival and worse cardiovascular outcomes. However, an “obesity paradox” has been described in some diseases, with improved survival of obese patients after invasive and surgical procedures.

Methods

The CENTER-collaboration included data from 10 registries or clinical trials of patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI from 2007 to 2018. Patients were divided in four groups according to body mass index (BMI): underweight: BMI <18.5 kg/m2, normal weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2, overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9 kg/m2, and obese: BMI ≥30 kg/m2. The primary endpoints of this analysis were differences in 30-day all-cause mortality and stroke after TAVI.

Results

Of the 12,381 patients analysed, 2% (n=205) were underweight, 29% (n=3552) had normal weight, 44% (n=5460) were overweight and 25% (n=3140) obese. Older patients had lower BMI (median of 84 years for underweight and 81 years for obese patients, p<0.001). Cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia increased progressively with increase of BMI category. As to clinical outcomes, there were no differences for stroke rates across BMI groups. In-hospital mortality was highest in patients who were underweight, namely 8.4%, compared to normal weight, overweight and obese patients (6.2%, 4.3% and 4.6% respectively, p<0.001) as was 30-day mortality (9.8% compared to 6.9%, 5.3% and 5.2% respectively, p=0.001). On the other hand, extremely obese patients (BMI ≥40.0 kg/m2) also had worse prognosis, with a 30-day mortality of 7.6%.

Conclusions

In this global analysis of more than 12 000 patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI, overweight and obese patients had better in-hospital and 30-day survival than normal weight patients, confirming the obesity paradox. There was an inverted J-shaped relationship of body mass index with prognosis, with higher mortality rates for underweight and extremely obese patients.

Mortality and stroke per BMI category

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The Dutch Heart Foundation; Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development

Biomarkers for prediction of mortality in left-sided infective endocarditis

BACKGROUND

Evidence regarding biomarkers for risk prediction in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) is limited. We aimed to investigate the value of a panel of biomarkers for the prediction of in-hospital mortality in patients with IE.

METHODS

Between 2016 and 2018, consecutive IE patients admitted to the emergency department were prospectively included. Blood concentrations of nine biomarkers were measured at admission (D0) and on the seventh day (D7) of antibiotic therapy: C-reactive protein (CRP), sensitive troponin I (s-cTnI), procalcitonin, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), proadrenomedullin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, and galectin 3. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Among 97 patients, 56% underwent cardiac surgery, and in-hospital mortality was 27%. At admission, six biomarkers were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality: s-cTnI (OR 3.4; 95%CI 1.8-6.4; P<0.001), BNP (OR 2.7; 95%CI 1.4-5.1; P=0.002), IL-6 (OR 2.06; 95%CI 1.3-3.7; P=0.019), procalcitonin (OR 1.9; 95%CI 1.1-3.2; P=0.018), TNF-α (OR 1.8; 95%CI 1.1-2.9; P=0.019), and CRP (OR 1.8; 95%CI 1.0-3.3; P=0.037). At admission, S-cTnI provided the highest accuracy for predicting mortality (area under the ROC curve: s-cTnI 0.812, BNP 0.727, IL-6 0.734, procalcitonin 0.684, TNF-α 0.675, CRP 0.670). After 7 days of antibiotic therapy, BNP and inflammatory biomarkers improved their performance (s-cTnI 0.814, BNP 0.823, IL-6 0.695, procalcitonin 0.802, TNF-α 0.554, CRP 0.759).

CONCLUSION

S-cTnI concentration measured at admission had the highest accuracy for mortality prediction in patients with IE.

P929Predictors of renal function improvement in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing TAVR

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The prognosis of CKD on TAVR outcomes has been previously documented. However, there is a paucity of data about predictors of renal function improvement and its clinical relevance.

Purpose

To determine predictors of renal function improvement after TAVR among patients with CKD.

Methods

Prospective study, analyzing 819 patients from 22 centers with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis included in the Brazilian TAVR Registry between 2008 and 2015. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60mg/dL, and patients without CKD were excluded. Groups were divided according to variation of eGFR between baseline and 7 days after TAVR: improvement (increase >10% in eGFR) in 197 (34.1%) patients, worsening (decrease >10% in eGFR) in 203 (35.2%), and stable (neither criteria) in 177 (30.7%). Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of renal function improvement. One-year outcomes were determined as Kaplan-Meier survival curves.

Results

CKD was present in 577 (70%) patients. The mean age was 81.9±6.8 years, 56.2% were male, 31.7% had diabetes and 74.5% had hypertension. The mean STS score was 10.6±7.9%, the mean EuroSCORE II were 21.8±15.2% and the preferable access site was transfemoral (93.4%). The mean eGFR was 37.3±12.5 ml/min in the improvement group (IG), 39.6±11.7 ml/min in the stable group (SG) and 40.2±12.3 ml/min in the worsening group (WG), with significant statistical difference between IG and WG (p=0.044). There was no difference related to contrast midia volume between the 3 groups. In the multivariate analysis, coronary artery disease (OR: 0.69; 95% CI 0.48–0.98; p=0.039) and baseline eGFR (OR: 0.98; 95% CI 0.97–1.00; p=0.039) were associated with improvement in renal function. There was no significant difference in 1-year all-cause mortality between IG and SG (15.4 vs 9.5%, log rank p=0.141) (Figure 1A). However, the WG had higher mortality compared with the IG (29.3 vs 15.4%, log rank p<0,001) (Figure 1B).

Figure 1

Conclusion

Improvement in renal function after TAVR was frequently found among patients with CKD. The absence of coronary artery disease and lower baseline eGFR were independent predictors of improvement in renal function. Although the IG had lower 1-year all-cause mortality compared to WG, no difference were observed related to SG.

Acknowledgement/Funding

SBHCI

P6483Predictors of contractile reserve on dobutamine stress echocardiography in patients with classical low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis

Background

There is a lack of information on factors that influence contractile reserve (CR) on dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in patients with classical low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis (LFLG-AS).

Purpose

This study sought to evaluate the predictors of CR in patients with LFLG-AS.

Methods

Prospective study including 43 consecutive LFLG-AS patients (aortic valve area [AVA] ≤1.0 cm2, mean transaortic gradient <40 mmHg, left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] <50%) with true severe aortic stenosis. All patients underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography and T1-mapping cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). CR was defined as an increase ≥20% in the left ventricular stroke volume at peak stress. Patients with pseudo-severe aortic stenosis were excluded.

Results

All of the patients in the study had degenerative aortic stenosis, with a median age of 67 [60–74] years, most of them being male (83.7%). A high prevalence of comorbidities was found, highlighted by diabetes (42%), hypertension (70%), atrial fibrillation (25%) and coronary artery disease (38%). Mean transaortic gradient was 25 [20–33] mmHg, AVA was 0.88 [0.68–0.95] cm2, LVEF was 35 [28–43]% and 32.6% had moderate/severe functional mitral regurgitation. CMR myocardium extracellular volume fraction (ECV) was 28.8 [26.3–33.0] %, indexed ECV was 35.4 [25.0–41.2] ml/m2, 32.6% had positive transmural delayed-enhancement images and 25.6% had positive mesocardial delayed-enhancement images. On DSE, 30 patients (69.7%) had CR and 13 patients (30.3%) had no CR. Global longitudinal strain was 10 [7–12] %, Δ indexed flow rate was 25 [3–38] ml/m2.seg and Δ mean gradient was 10 [3–16] mmHg. By multivariate analysis, moderate/severe functional mitral regurgitation (HR 0.122, 95% CI 0.020–0.759, p=0.024) and AVA (HR 0.606, 95% CI 0.396–0.925, p=0.020 [for each increase of 0.05 cm2]) were the only factors associated with CR. ECV, indexed ECV and positive transmural or mesocardial delayed-enhancement images were not associated with CR in the univariate analysis.

Conclusions

In our study, the absence of moderate/severe functional mitral regurgitation and AVA were predictors of CR on DSE in patients with LFLG-AS. As AVA was smaller in patients with CR, our finding contradicts the hypothesis that more severe aortic stenosis could also contribute to the lack of CR. Other possible factors that are surrogate of myocardium fibrosis, as ECV, indexed ECV and positive delayed-enhancement images, were not associated with the absence of CR.

Acknowledgement/Funding

FAPESP

P2273Predictors of short- and mid-term outcomes after TAVR in low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis

Background

There is a lack of data on outcomes in classical (C-LFLG) and paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis (P-LFLG) patients undergoing TAVR.

Purpose

We aim to compare baseline characteristic and procedural outcomes between C-LFLG, P-LFLG and high-gradient aortic stenosis (HG-AS) patients undergoing TAVR.

Methods

Patients included in the Transcatheter RegistrY of aorTic valve biOprosthesis in Latin-AMerica (TRYTOM Registry) were divided in 3 groups: 1) HG-AS: mean transaortic gradient (MG) ≥40 mmHg; 2) P-LFLG: MG <40 mmHg and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50%; 3) C-LFLG: MG <40 mmHg and LVEF <50%. The outcomes were evaluated at 30-days and 1-year and were classified according to definitions of the VARC-2.

Results

1040 patients were included, 677 (65%) classified as HG-AS, 223 (21%) as P-LFLG and 140 (14%) as C-LFLG. Median follow-up was 16 months (range 0–109). There were baseline differences between HG-AS, P-LFLG and C-LFLG regarding age (80±7 vs 80±5 vs 78±8 years, respectively; p=0.017), NYHA FC III and IV (61.0 vs 72.6 vs 83.6%, respectively; p<0.001), coronary artery disease (44.1 vs 47.1 vs 57.9%, respectively; p=0.012), EuroSCORE II (7.2±6.3 vs 7.5±5.0 vs 12.9±10.4%, respectively; p<0.001), LVEF (56±11 vs 61±7 vs 32±9%, respectively; p<0.001), MG (53±13 vs 30±6 vs 27±7 mmHg, respectively; p<0.001), aortic valve area (0.65±0.16 vs 0.74±0.15 vs 0.70±0.16 cm2, respectively; p<0.001) and creatinine (1.2±0.7 vs 1.1±0.5 vs 1.5±1.3 mg/dl, respectively; p<0.001). Despite these significant baseline differences, we found similar outcomes after TAVR between HG-AS, P-LFLG and C-LFLG regarding device success (89.8 vs 95.1 vs 90.7%, respectively; p=0.057), in-hospital mortality (6.1 vs 5.9 vs 11.8%, respectively; p=0.144) and all other VARC-2 major outcomes, including major bleeding, major vascular complication and disabling stroke. In addition, female sex (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.16–3.92, p=0.014), LVEF (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.04, p=0.039) and MG (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95–0.99, p=0.004) were the only predictor of device success by multivariate analysis. Furthermore, 1-year mortality was similar among the groups (9.5 vs 8.3 vs 14.3%, respectively; p=0.358; Figure 1), and by multivariate analysis, diabetes (HR 2.44, 95% CI 1.10–5.41, p=0.028), creatinine (HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.17–2.33, p=0.004), conversion to general anesthesia (HR 7.93, 95% CI 2.08–30.20, p=0.002) and post-procedure disabling stroke (HR 12.84, 95% CI 3.09–53.40, p<0.001) predicted increased 1-year mortality, irrespective on the LVEF and MG.

Conclusions

Apart from baseline differences, TAVR in P-LFLG and C-LFLG was feasible and with similar clinical outcomes when compared to HG-AS. Mid-term mortality rates was associated with diabetes, creatinine and procedure complications.

Thrombocytopenia After Transcatheter Valve-in-Valve Implantation: Prognostic Marker or Mere Finding?

Objective

To analyze the behavior of platelets after transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation for the treatment of degenerated bioprosthesis and how they correlate with adverse events upon follow-up.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 28 patients who received a valve-in-valve implant, 5 in aortic, 18 in mitral and 5 in tricuspid positions. Data were compared with 74 patients submitted to conventional redo valvular replacements during the same period, and both groups' platelet curves were analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted using the IBM SPSS Statistics(r) 20 for Windows.

Results

All patients in the valve-in-valve group developed thrombocytopenia, 25% presenting mild (<150.000/µL), 54% moderate (<100.000/µL) and 21% severe (<50.000/µL) thrombocytopenia. The platelet nadir was on the 4^th postoperative day for aortic ViV, 2^nd for mitral and 3^rd for tricuspid patients, with the majority of patients recovering regular platelet count. However, the aortic subgroup comparison between valve-in-valve and conventional surgery showed a statistically significant difference from the 7^th day onwards, where valve-in-valve patients had more severe and longer lasting thrombocytopenia. This, however, did not translate into a higher postoperative risk. In our study population, postoperative thrombocytopenia did not correlate with greater occurrence of adverse outcomes and only normal preoperative platelet count could significantly predict a postoperative drop >50%.

Conclusion

Although thrombocytopenia is an extremely common finding after valve-in-valve procedures, the degree of platelet count drop did not correlate with greater incidence of postoperative adverse outcomes in our study population.

Relation of mitral valve morphology to surgical repair results in patients with mitral valve prolapse: A three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography study

BACKGROUND

The identification of predictors of mitral valve (MV) repair results is important for quality improvement in cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between MV morphological quantification by three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography and mitral repair results.

METHODS

Fifty-four patients with MV prolapse who were submitted to surgical repair were divided into 2 groups according to their postoperative mitral regurgitation (MR) degree (group 1, grade 0-I MR; group 2, ≥grade II MR). Morphological parameters related to the mitral ring, dimension of leaflets and prolapse, coaptation line, distance from papillary muscles to the leaflet border and valve angles were analyzed by 3D MV quantification. Cardiac remodeling and MR quantitative parameters were also evaluated.

RESULTS

There was no correlation between 3D MV quantification and surgical results; a multivariate analysis did not show an association between morphological parameters and surgical outcome. The distance from the posteromedial papillary muscle to the leaflet border was higher (P = .038) in patients with ≥grade II postoperative MR. The left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were larger in patients with a significant residual MR (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Three-dimensional MV quantification did not predict the postoperative MR grade; however, the distance from the posteromedial papillary muscles to the leaflet border may be related to suboptimal repair results. Furthermore, excessive cardiac remodeling was related to postoperative MR ≥ grade II, what could suggest a potential benefit of early surgical treatment.

Impact of Acute Kidney Injury on Short- and Long-term Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequently observed after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and is associated with higher mortality. However, the impact of AKI on long-term outcomes remains controversial. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the impact of AKI on short- and long-term outcomes following TAVI using the Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 criteria.

METHODS

Consecutive patients (n = 794) with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI were included in a multicenter Brazilian registry. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of AKI. Four-year outcomes were determined as Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and an adjusted landmark analysis was used to test the impact of AKI on mortality among survivors at 12 months.

RESULTS

The incidence of AKI after TAVI was 18%. Independent predictors of AKI were age, diabetes mellitus, major or life-threatening bleeding and valve malpositioning. Acute kidney injury was independently associated with higher risk of all-cause death (adjusted HR, 2.8; 95%CI, 2.0-3.9; P < .001) and cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR, 2.9; 95%CI, 1.9-4.4; P < .001) over the entire follow-up period. However, when considering only survivors at 12 months, there was no difference in both clinical endpoints (adjusted HR, 1.2; 95%CI, 0.5-2.4; P = .71, and HR, 0.7; 95%CI, 0.2-2.1; P = .57, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Acute kidney injury is a frequent complication after TAVI. Older age, diabetes, major or life-threatening bleeding, and valve malpositioning were independent predictors of AKI. Acute kidney injury is associated with worse short- and long-term outcomes. However, the major impact of AKI on mortality is limited to the first year after TAVI.

Potential of transcatheter aortic valve replacement to improve post-procedure renal function

BACKGROUND

Baseline comorbidities including renal dysfunction are frequently found in patients treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and may increase the risks of acute kidney injury (AKI), although some of them may actually improve renal function. We aimed to evaluate the potential of TAVR to acutely improve post-procedure renal function.

METHODS

This is a prospective single-center registry of consecutive patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis treated by transfemoral TAVR. Creatinine levels were determined at baseline and daily until hospital discharge. AKI was defined according to VARC-2 criteria. Patients who had improvement of creatinine levels >25% were classified as having TAVR induced renal function improvement (TIRFI).

RESULTS

A total of 69 patients undergoing TAVR were included, with a mean age of 83.0±7.4 years, being 24.6% diabetics, with a median STS score of 9.2 (5.1-21.6). Using the VARC-2 criteria, the majority of patients (64.6%) did not have renal impairment, while AKI was detected in 35.4% of the patients. Importantly, in those with prior severe renal dysfunction (clearance <30mL/min/1.73m²) or diabetes, AKI reached up to 50% and 56.3% of the patients, respectively. Conversely, acute kidney recovery (TIRFI) occurred in 12 patients (18.5%) being >50% in 1 patient (1.5%), and at hospital discharge the majority of the patients (88.6%) left the hospital in their original or better renal function categories.

CONCLUSION

Despite multiple comorbidities in a selected TAVR-population and the use of contrast media, TAVR did not impair renal function in a majority of patients, with a significant proportion of them rather having acute renal function improvement.