title: Effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on the ascending aorta's elasticity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The elastic properties of the ascending aorta were studied before and 1 week after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Previous studies have shown that the distensibility of the ascending aorta was decreased in the early post-operative period after aortic valve replacement. Aortic stiffness is a major moderator of arterio-ventricular coupling and an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk and mortality. We evaluated the effect of TAVI on the elastic properties of the ascending aorta in the early post-operative period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aortic distensibility (AD) and Aortic Stiffness Index (ASI) were evaluated using echocardiographic techniques and brachial artery pressure obtained by sphygmomanometry 2-3 days before and 7-8 days after TAVI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 30 patients (14 males) were studied with a mean age of 79.9 ± 4.7 years and aortic valve area before TAVI of 0.61 ± 0.16 cm(2). Mean arterial pressure decreased significantly after TAVI (from 89.6 ± 8.9 mmHg to 83.3 ± 10.9 mmHg, p = 0.004). AD did not change significantly after TAVI (pre: 1.89 ± 1.11 cm(2)/(dynes × 10(6)), post: 2.05 ± 1.50 cm(2)/(dynes × 10(6)); p = 0.813). ASI also remained unchanged (pre: 11.4 ± 6.5, post: 15.6 ± 14.9; p = 0.349).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The elastic properties of the ascending aorta did not change significantly in the early post-procedural period after TAVI. This may in part be attributable to the less invasive procedure (compared to aortic valve replacement) which has no effect on vasa vasorum flow.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, 114 Vas. Sofias Str., 115 27 Athens, Greece. vavouran@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Manolis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vavuranakis
authors.forename: Dimitrios A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Vrachatis
authors.forename: Harisios
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boudoulas
authors.forename: Theodore G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Papaioannou
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moldovan
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kariori
authors.forename: Konstantinos I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Kalogeras
authors.forename: Panagiota G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Pietri
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tentolouris
authors.forename: Christodoulos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D062186:Arterial Pressure; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019722:Sphygmomanometers; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D059289:Vascular Stiffness