title: Percutaneous Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty and Clinical Outcomes in Severe Aortic Stenosis: Correlation of Procedural Technique and Efficacy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (PBAV) is a palliative therapeutic option for relief of severe aortic stenosis (AS) in patients that are poor surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) candidates or as a bridge to definitive therapy. The outcomes following PBAV are highly variable and studies identifying factors that correlate with outcomes are sparse. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors at the time of the index procedures that can predict 1-year survival or need for repeat PBAV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic and procedural information of 505 PBAVs performed on 388 patients from January 1999 to December 2012 at the Deborah Heart and Lung Center were reviewed. Procedural data were compared across many variables and outcomes to identify predictors of outcomes. These predictors were statistically compared using chi-squared tests or Student's t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 388 patients analyzed, 145 (37.4%) expired within 1 year following the index procedure. The cohort was then stratified into 3 groups based on the number of balloon inflations. They were similar with regard to baseline characteristics. The mean age was 81.9 ± 9 years. Males constituted 51% of the cohort. Patients who underwent 2 and 3+ inflations had a 47.6% and 93.0% increase in the postprocedural aortic valve area compared to patients who had only 1 inflation. Patients who underwent 3+ inflations were significantly less likely to require a repeat PABV within a year and the repeat procedure free survival rate of 94.5% (P = 0.009). Despite improvement in valve area, there was no statistically significant difference in 1 year mortality between the groups (28.8% vs 42.9% vs 46.1% for 1 vs 2 vs 3+ inflations, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PBAV provides a modest improvement in valve function and continues to be a safe and feasible option in experienced hands for select patients that are high risk for surgery or TAVR. The use of additional inflations during PBAV resulted in better long-term outcomes.
authors: Einstein Heart and Vascular Institute, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Deepakraj
authors: D
authors: Gajanana
authors: Division of Internal Medicine, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Wheeler
authors: Division of Cardiology, Stamford Hospital, Stamford, Connecticut.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Hsi
authors: Division of lnterventional Cardiology and Endovascular Medicine, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, Browns Mills, New Jersey.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Kovach
authors: Einstein Heart and Vascular Institute, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Jon C
authors: JC
authors: George
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D063126:Balloon Valvuloplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D018579:Patient Selection; D011379:Prognosis; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020379:Risk Adjustment / Q000379:methods; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology