Left ventricular mass regression one year after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is associated with LV diastolic dysfunction and constitutes a risk factor for cardiac morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to investigate the degree of LV mass regression and the changes of LV diastolic function one year after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Echocardiography was performed at baseline, before discharge, and at one-year follow-up in 63 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI with the Medtronic CoreValve System (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, MN). The LV mass was calculated using the Devereux formula and indexed to body surface area.

One-year all-cause mortality was 29%. The LV mass index decreased from 126 ± 42 g/m(2) at baseline to 110 ± 30 g/m(2) at one-year follow-up (p < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction and LV diastolic function did not change significantly. Mean transaortic gradient decreased from 47 ± 19 mm Hg at baseline to 9 ± 5 mm Hg at discharge and 9 ± 4 mm Hg at one year (p < 0.001), and was accompanied by significant clinical improvement. More than mild paravalvular aortic regurgitation was found in 24% and 15% of patients at discharge and one-year follow-up, respectively.

A significant regression in LV mass was found one year after TAVI. However, regression was incomplete and was not accompanied by an improvement in LV diastolic function.