Background and aim of the study: The dynamics of left ventricular mass (LVM) regression following the relief of chronic left ventricular pressure overload are prone to variation. The study aim was to identify determinants of LVM regression following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).
Methods: A total of 134 patients undergoing TAVI was identified. A retrospective analysis was performed of LVM indexed to body surface area (LVMi), calculated using transthoracic echocardiography at baseline and at six to 12 months post-TAVI.
Results: At six to 12 months after TAVI, there was a significant reduction in mean LVMi (from 118.2 ± 26.67 g/m2 to 103.4 ± 27.07 g/m2; p < 0.001) driven by a decrease in left ventricular wall thickness. The relative wall thickness (RWT) was decreased (0.54 ± 0.10 cm versus 0.51 ± 0.09 cm; p = 0.006), whereas the prevalence of concentric remodeling (RWT ≥ 0.42) remained unchanged (85.1% versus 80.6%; p = 0.3). However, 47 patients (35.1%) demonstrated significant LVMi regression, but had a lower baseline LVMi than patients who demonstrated significant regression (109.8 ± 25.8 g/m2 versus 122 ± 26.1 g/m2; p = 0.008) but had otherwise similar characteristics. A greater magnitude of LVMi reduction was associated with a greater baseline LVMi (r = 0.39; p < 0.001), where patients with LVMi in the highest quartile had the most substantial reduction in LVMi (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified pre-TAVI LVMi as the sole independent predictor of LVMi regression at six to 12 months post-TAVI (P = 0.45; 95% confidence interval 0.255-0.534; p < 0.001).
Conclusion: LVM regression at six to months post-TAVI was variable, with about one-third of patients not showing a significant regression. Only baseline LVM predicted LVM regression; patients with a higher baseline LVM demonstrated a greater regression.