title: Improvement of quality of life following transcatheter aortic valve implantation in the elderly: a multi-centre study based on the Polish national TAVI registry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an effective therapeutic method for elderly high-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, not eligible for surgical treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate short-term changes in elderly people's quality of life following TAVI, based on the POL-TAVI registry.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and eighty-four octogenarians' and nonagenarians' samples from the POL-TAVI database were included in the study. The quality of life status was assessed with EQ-5D-3L questionnaire at baseline and after one-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean of patients' age was 84 (80-93) years. Logistic EuroSCORE mean was 19.83% (3.48-83.94%), and transaortic mean gradient was 54.99 (19.0-149.0) mm Hg. At baseline, up to 24.50% of patients declared severe problems in performing usual activities. 13.60% felt extreme pain or discomfort; 9.80% were unable to wash and dress by themselves; 8.20% were extremely anxious or depressed; and 7.10% of the patients in the study were confined to bed. After 30 days the percentage of patients declaring severe problems in each dimension did not exceed 4.00%. The comparison between quality of life data at baseline and after one-month follow-up showed a significant improvement in each of five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression (p < 0.001). Patients' quality of life was increasing regardless of gender (female vs. male), the type of anaesthesia (general vs. local), and the type of procedure (TA vs. TF).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term quality of life in the elderly subjects was significantly improved after one-month follow-up following TAVI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland. astanska@gumed.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stańska
authors.forename: Dariusz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jagielak
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brzeziński
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zembala
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wojakowski
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kochman
authors.forename: Zenon
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huczek
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Witkowski
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zembala
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain; D011044:Poland; D011788:Quality of Life; D012042:Registries; D012306:Risk; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D065467:Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: aortic valve stenosis; elderly; quality of life; transcatheter aortic valve implantation