Prognostic value of T1-mapping in TAVR patients: extra-cellular volume as a possible predictor for peri- and post-TAVR adverse events

The benefit of a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) can differ in patients, and therapy bears severe risks. High-degree aortic stenosis can lead to cardiac damage such as diffuse myocardial fibrosis, evaluable by extra-cellular volume (ECV) in CMR. Therefore, fibrosis might be a possible risk factor for unfavorable outcome after TAVR. We sought to assess the prognostic value of T1-mapping and ECV to predict adverse events during and after TAVR. The study population consisted of patients undergoing clinically indicated TAVR by performing additional CMR with native and contrast-enhanced T1-mapping sequences for additional evaluation of ECV. Study endpoints were congestive heart failure (CHF) and TAVR-associated conduction abnormalities defined as new onset of left bundle branch block (LBBB), AV-Block or implantation of a pacemaker. 94 patients were examined and followed. Median follow up time was 187 days (IQR 79–357 days). ECV was increased (>30 %) in 38 patients (40 %). There was no significant correlation between ECV and death, Hazard ratio (HR) 0.847 (95 % CI 0.335; 2.14), p = 0.72. ECV in patients with subsequent CHF was higher than in those without an event (33.5 ± 4.6 and 29.1 ± 4.1 %, respectively), but the difference just did not reach the level of significance HR 2.16 (95 % CI 0.969; 4.84), p = 0.06. Patients with post-TAVR conduction abnormality (LBBB, AV-block or pacemaker implantation) had statistically relevant lower ECV values compared to those without an event. Patients with an event had a mean ECV of 28.1 ± 3.16 %; patients without an event had a mean ECV of 29.8 ± 4.53, HR 0.56 (95 % CI 0.32; 0.96), p = 0.036. In this study, elevated myocardial ECV is a predictor of CHF by trend; CMR may be helpful in identifying patients with a high risk for post-TAVR cardiac decompensation benefitting from an intensified post-interventional surveillance. Patients with post-TAVR conductions abnormalities have a significantly decreased ECV. Nevertheless, it remains unclear which precise molecular tissue alteration is the protective factor or risk factor in this case.