Aims: Data regarding the effects of TAVI on LV after are scarce and conflicting results have been reported immediately after aortic valvuloplasty. This study aimed to determine the acute haemodynamic effects of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in left ventricle (LV) diastolic performance, immediately after aortic valvuloplasty and prosthesis deployment.
Methods and results: Sixty-one patients with severe aortic valve stenosis, and preserved LV systolic function submitted to successful TAVI, were included. All procedures were guided through transoesophageal echocardiography, and parameters of diastolic function were evaluated before and minutes after TAVI. The mean age was 83.5±6 years and mean log EuroSCORE was 18.2±9.4. Before the procedure, all patients presented LV diastolic dysfunction. Immediately after TAVI, fewer patients presented a restrictive pattern [27 (44.3%), before the procedure, vs. 20 (34.4%), after TAVI (P=0.047)], and an increase in E wave deceleration time (211.2±75.5 vs. 252.7±102.3 cm/s, P=0.001), in E wave velocity (109.5±41.2 vs. 120.3±43.6 cm/s, P=0.025), and in isovolumetric relaxation time (83±36.5 vs. 97.1±36.0 ms, P=0.013) was observed. On multivariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), adjusting to LV systolic function, heart rate, blood pressure, and haematocrit values, the results remained significant. Patients referred to percutaneous approach had invasive haemodynamic data collected, showing a decrease in LV end-diastolic pressure after valve implantation [18.8±5.7 vs. 14.7±4.7, mean difference -4.1 (95% CI: -5.9; -2.9)]. Patients with a restrictive pattern immediately after TAVI presented a smaller decrease in LV end diastolic pressure (-3.3±4.7) than those with diastolic dysfunction grade I or II (-9.5±4.7; P=0.017).
Conclusion: This is the first study describing LV diastolic performance during TAVI. Our results show improvement in diastolic function parameters in patients with preserved LV systolic function, immediately after successful TAVI.