Sex differences in reverse remodeling after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in low-flow aortic stenosis

Sex-specific differences in left ventricular (LV) remodeling after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in low-flow aortic stenosis (LFAS) remain incompletely defined, and the influence of LFAS subtype on remodeling by sex is uncertain. The authors sought to characterize post-TAVR remodeling in LFAS by sex and subtype and identify predictors of remodeling.

This retrospective cohort study included 488 patients with LFAS (303 men, 185 women) who underwent TAVR. Smoothed conditional mean curves assessed longitudinal changes in LV mass index (LVMi), relative wall thickness (RWT), and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) through 18 months. Linear mixed models identified predictors of remodeling.

Women more often had paradoxical low-flow low-gradient (pLFLG) AS (58.4% vs 43.6%, P = .001), whereas men more often had classical low-flow low-gradient AS (31.4% vs 13.5%, P < .001). At 1 year, both sexes showed significant improvement in LVMi, RWT, and LVEF. Men demonstrated sustained improvement in LVEF and LVMi during follow-up, whereas women showed earlier improvement followed by decline beginning around 12 months. Predictors also differed: lower LVMi after TAVR was associated with White race and less severe baseline mitral regurgitation in men, and with pLFLG subtype in women.

Reverse remodeling after TAVR occurred in both sexes, but trajectories and predictors were sex-specific.