Functional and structural reverse myocardial remodeling following transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a prospective cardiovascular magnetic resonance study

J Cardiovasc Magn Reson. 2022 Jul 28;24(1):45. doi: 10.1186/s12968-022-00874-0.

Abstract

Background: Since cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging allows comprehensive quantification of both myocardial function and structure we aimed to assess myocardial remodeling processes in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods: CMR imaging was performed in 40 patients with severe AS before and 1 year after TAVR. Image analyses comprised assessments of myocardial volumes, CMR-feature-tracking based atrial and ventricular strain, myocardial T1 mapping, extracellular volume fraction-based calculation of left ventricular (LV) cellular and matrix volumes, as well as ischemic and non-ischemic late gadolinium enhancement analyses. Moreover, biomarkers including NT-proBNP as well as functional and clinical status were documented.

Results: Myocardial function improved 1 year after TAVR: LV ejection fraction (57.9 ± 16.9% to 65.4 ± 14.5%, p = 0.002); LV global longitudinal (- 21.4 ± 8.0% to -25.0 ± 6.4%, p < 0.001) and circumferential strain (- 36.9 ± 14.3% to - 42.6 ± 11.8%, p = 0.001); left atrial reservoir (13.3 ± 6.3% to 17.8 ± 6.7%, p = 0.001), conduit (5.5 ± 3.2% to 8.4 ± 4.6%, p = 0.001) and boosterpump strain (8.2 ± 4.6% to 9.9 ± 4.2%, p = 0.027). This was paralleled by regression of total myocardial volume (90.3 ± 21.0 ml/m2 to 73.5 ± 17.0 ml/m2, p < 0.001) including cellular (55.2 ± 13.2 ml/m2 to 45.3 ± 11.1 ml/m2, p < 0.001) and matrix volumes (20.7 ± 6.1 ml/m2 to 18.8 ± 5.3 ml/m2, p = 0.036). These changes were paralleled by recovery from heart failure (decrease of NYHA class: p < 0.001; declining NT-proBNP levels: 2456 ± 3002 ng/L to 988 ± 1222 ng/L, p = 0.001).

Conclusion: CMR imaging enables comprehensive detection of myocardial remodeling in patients undergoing TAVR. Regression of LV matrix volume as a surrogate for reversible diffuse myocardial fibrosis is accompanied by increase of myocardial function and recovery from heart failure. Further data are required to define the value of these parameters as therapeutic targets for optimized management of TAVR patients. Trial registration DRKS, DRKS00024479. Registered 10 December 2021-Retrospectively registered, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00024479.

Keywords: Assessment of myocardial function and structure; Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; Myocardial remodeling; Transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Valve / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Valve / pathology
  • Aortic Valve / surgery
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis* / pathology
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis* / surgery
  • Contrast Media
  • Gadolinium
  • Heart Failure*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Stroke Volume
  • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement* / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventricular Function, Left
  • Ventricular Remodeling

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Gadolinium

Associated data

  • DRKS/DRKS00024479