Long-Term Impact of Early Subclinical Leaflet Thrombosis After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

BACKGROUND

Hypoattenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) detected on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is considered leaflet thrombosis. However, its impact on long-term clinical outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of early HALT detection after TAVI on long-term clinical outcomes and structural valve deterioration beyond 6 years.

METHODS

Of the 672 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI between 2013 and 2018, 448 were treated with either SAPIEN XT or SAPIEN 3 and underwent MDCT analysis within 30 days after TAVI. MDCT results and echocardiographic data were analyzed annually.

RESULTS

HALT was detected in 68 (15.2%) of 448 eligible patients within 30 days after TAVI. No significant difference in effective orifice area was observed by echocardiography within 30 days after TAVI between the HALT and the non-HALT groups in SAPIEN XT (HALT vs. non-HALT: 1.62 ± 0.66 cm2 vs. 1.72 ± 0.43 cm2; p = 0.26) and in SAPIEN 3 (1.42 ± 0.35 cm2 vs. 1.45 ± 0.34 cm2; p = 0.63). No significant differences in all-cause mortality (52.9% vs. 60.0%; hazard ratio (HR): 1.19; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.83-1.70; p = 0.3), stroke incidence (5.9% vs. 7.1%; HR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.08-13.7; p = 0.97), heart failure rehospitalization (10.3% vs. 15.0%; HR: 2.3; 95% CI: 0.89-5.99; p = 0.09), and structural valve deterioration (14.7% vs. 17.9%; HR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.45-1.73; p = 0.73) were observed between the HALT and the non-HALT groups during the median follow-up of 1872 (interquartile range; 1203-2468) days.

CONCLUSIONS

HALT within 30 days was not associated with clinical outcomes or hemodynamic performance during long-term follow-up.