Clinical Characteristics and Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing TAVI Procedure: Results from the VIP-Cardio Survey.

INTRODUCTION

Quality of life measures from the patient's subjective experience are important, since it capture how the treatment affects their daily life, functional abilities, and emotional well-being. This study aimed to measure patients' QoL prior and after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure.

METHODS

This prospective study was conducted from November 2022 to December 2024 in a sample of 302 TAVI patients from three public Hospitals in Greece. Patients were recruited and followed up at the point of discharge and six months after discharge. Patient-reported quality of life was recorded using both the generic EQ-5D-5L and KCCQ a disease-specific HRQoL instrument. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSSv.29.

RESULTS

The results of the study indicate excellent clinical outcomes with low mortality rates and low incidence of severe complications. Improvements in TAVI techniques and patient selection have led to decreased mortality rates. Six months follow-up confirms the great clinical outcome, and readmission rates were limited to two cases. From the patients' perspective, the overall outcome was rated as acceptable or favourable by most of them, with movement problems and pain being commonly stated. After discharge, the patients stated better outcomes both regarding their daily living, mobility and psychological state, reporting less stress and depression.

CONCLUSION

QoL assessments help determine the true benefit of TAVI beyond just survival rates. Further research is needed to stress the main determinants of QoL in these patients and to guide the everyday clinical practice.