The Impact of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) on Serum Apelin Levels in Patients with Aortic Valvular Stenosis.

INTRODUCTION

In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on serum apelin levels in patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis (AS).

METHODS

Forty-six consecutive patients (76.9±7.4 years, n=27 women) who underwent TAVI and 45 age- and sex-matched control subjects were included in the study. Echocardiographic parameters, serum apelin, pro-brain natriuretic peptide (Pro-BNP), and troponin I levels were compared between the groups. In addition, the preprocedural and first-month follow-up echocardiographic parameters and serum apelin values of TAVI patients were compared.

RESULTS

Serum median troponin I and Pro-BNP levels were significantly higher and serum apelin levels were significantly lower in TAVI patients before TAVI procedure than in the control subjects (P<0.001, for all). Median troponin I and Pro-BNP levels were significantly decreased and apelin levels were significantly increased after TAVI procedure compared to the peri-procedural levels. There was a significant and moderate negative correlation between Pro-BNP and apelin levels measured before and after TAVI procedure. A statistically significant and strong negative correlation was found between aortic valve area and Pro-BNP level before TAVI procedure, while a statistically significant but weak positive correlation was found between valve area and apelin level.

CONCLUSION

In our study, apelin levels were significantly lower and Pro-BNP levels were higher in AS patients compared with the control group. Moreover, after TAVI procedure, a significant increase in apelin levels and a significant decrease in Pro-BNP levels were observed. There was also a negative and moderate correlation between apelin and Pro-BNP levels.