BackgroundTranscatheter aortic valve implantation is an effective alternative to
surgical treatment of severe aortic stenosis in patients who are inoperable
or at high surgical risk.ObjectivesTo report the immediate and follow-up clinical and echocardiographic results
of the initial experience of transcatheter aortic valve implantation.MethodsFrom 2009 June to 2013 February, 112 patients underwent transcatheter aortic
valve implantation.ResultsMean age was 82.5 ± 6.5 years, and the logistic EuroSCORE was 23.6 ± 13.5.
Procedural success was 84%. After the intervention, a reduction in the mean
systolic gradient was observed (pre: 54.7 ± 15.3 vs. post: 11.7 ± 4.0 mmHg;
p < 0.01). Cerebrovascular accidents occurred in 3.6%, vascular
complications in 19% and permanent pacemaker was required by 13% of the
patients. Thirty-day mortality and at follow-up of 16 ± 11 months was 14%
and 8.9% respectively. The presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
was the only predictor of mortality at 30 days and at follow-up. During
follow up, aortic valve area and mean systolic gradient did not change
significantly.ConclusionsTranscatheter aortic valve implantation is an effective and safe procedure
for the treatment of aortic stenosis in high-surgical risk or inoperable
patients. The presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was the only
independent predictor of mortality identified both in the first month
post-intervention and at follow-up.