Impact of Sarcopenia on Mortality in Patients Undergoing TAVI: A Follow-Up Study

Objective: The use of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has expanded in patients with severe aortic stenosis who are deemed inoperable. However, sarcopenia may be a determining factor in their survival. The aim of our study is to assess the impact of sarcopenia, evaluated by computed tomography (CT), on mortality in this patient population. Methods: Patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing follow-up after TAVI at Hospital Universitario de la Princesa were recruited. Body composition was analyzed using routine CT scans and open-source software. Survival analysis was performed, and correlations between body composition parameters at the T12 and L3 vertebral levels were assessed. Results: Our sample comprised 97 subjects. Time to mortality was associated with diabetes mellitus (p = 0.050), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.02), and respiratory disease (p = 0.03). Interestingly, sarcopenia (p = 0.039) and normal-density muscle area (p = 0.025) were also associated with time to mortality, with the association between sarcopenia and time to mortality becoming stronger after adjusting for covariates (p < 0.001). The correlation between different body composition parameters at the T12 and L3 vertebral levels was substantial and statistically significant. Conclusions: The use of CT to assess sarcopenia in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI is highly valuable and can predict time to mortality. Sarcopenia should be considered as a relevant parameter in the comprehensive evaluation of these patients.