Background: After transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), changes in left ventricular (LV) function are partly influenced by the vascular afterload. The burden of thoracic aorta... Show moreBackground: After transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), changes in left ventricular (LV) function are partly influenced by the vascular afterload. The burden of thoracic aorta calcification is a component of vascular afterload.Objective: To assess changes in LV systolic function measured with global longitudinal strain (GLS) in relation to the burden of thoracic aorta calcification in patients with severe aortic stenosis treated with TAVR.Results: At baseline, patients within the first tertile of thoracic aorta calcification (0-1,395 Hounsfield Units, HU) had better LV systolic function (LV ejection fraction [LVEF], 47% +/- 9%; and LV GLS, -15% +/- 5%) as compared with the second tertile (1,396-4,634 HU; LVEF, 46% +/- 10%; and LV GLS, -14% +/- 4%), and the third tertile (>4,634 HU; LVEF, 44% +/- 10%; and LV GLS, -12% +/- 4%). During follow-up, patients within tertile 1 of calcification of thoracic aorta achieved significantly better LV systolic function and larger regression of LV mass at 12 months of follow-up than patients within the other tertiles. This pattern was more pronounced in patients with reduced LVEF at baseline.Conclusion: After TAVR, LVEF and GLS improves and LV mass index is reduced significantly at 3-6 and 12 months of follow-up. Patients within the lowest burden of thoracic aorta calcification achieved the best values of LVEF and LV GLS at 1-year follow-up. Show less
