Quality of Life after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Sarcopenic Patients Using the Toronto Aortic Stenosis Quality of Life Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is the core component of frailty; however, its role in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a matter of debate. The Toronto Aortic Stenosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (TASQ) is a validated instrument for assessing quality of life (QoL) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).

AIMS

We aim to evaluate the QoL of sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR.

METHODS

TASQ was prospectively administered to patients undergoing TAVR. All patients completed the TASQ before TAVR and at a 3-month follow-up. The study population was divided in two groups according to sarcopenic status. The primary endpoint was the TASQ score in the sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic cohorts.

RESULTS

In total, 99 patients were eligible for the analysis. In both sarcopenic ( = 56) and non-sarcopenic ( = 43) cohorts, significant changes were observed in the overall TASQ score and in all but one (i.e., health expectations) of the individual domains ( < 0.01). Sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients showed substantial improvements across TASQ subscores. The mean change in overall TASQ score at three months revealed a significant improvement in both cohorts ( < 0.01). Health expectations worsened in sarcopenic patients at the 3-month follow-up ( = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

The TASQ questionnaire revealed changes in QoL after TAVR, regardless of patients' sarcopenic status. Health status improved substantially in both sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients following TAVR. Lack of improvement in health expectations seems to depend on patients' expectations regarding the procedure and specific aspects in the evaluation of the outcome.