BACKGROUND

To investigate the individual sequential hemodynamic changes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), especially for patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), in comparison with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV).

METHODS

The study population comprised 85 patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI for BAV (n = 49) or TAV (n = 36) with at least two serial echocardiographic follow-ups. Doppler echocardiography was scheduled to be performed at discharge and 1, 3, 6 months and 1 year after the procedure. D peak transvalvular velocities and D mean transvalvular gradients were calculated as the difference at follow-up time points and discharge. Paravalvular leak (PVL) was assessed as another indicator for prosthesis performance.

RESULTS

Comparisons between patients with BAV and TAV revealed similar gradient performances (1.00 [-2.00, 2.00] vs. 1.00 [-0.25, 5.00] mm Hg, p = 0.57 at 1 month; -0.71 ± 7.52 vs. 1.55 ± 3.97 mm Hg, p = 0.21 at 3 months; 0.96 ± 7.81 vs. 1.53 ± 5.85 mm Hg, p = 0.79 at 6 months; 1.00 [-0.50, 2.25] vs. 3.00 [-0.50, 7.50] mm Hg, p = 0.07 at 1 year). Moreover, the incidence of ≥ mild PVL was not significantly different in patients with BAV and TAV during follow-up (34.88% vs. 19.35%, p = 0.14 at 1 month; 45.83% vs. 27.27%, p = 0.19 at 3 months; 30.00% vs. 23.53%, p = 0.89 at 6 months; 30.00% vs. 17.65%, p = 0.56 at 1 year).

CONCLUSIONS

TAVI is effective and applicable in BAV anatomy with sustained and acceptable mid- -term prosthesis hemodynamic performance. (Cardiol J 2017; 24, 4: 350-357).