Prognostic Implications of Associated Cardiac Abnormalities Detected on Echocardiography in Patients With Moderate Aortic Stenosis

JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2021 Sep;14(9):1724-1737. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2021.04.009. Epub 2021 May 19.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and prognostic value of the extent of extra-aortic valvular cardiac abnormalities in a large multicenter registry of patients with moderate AS.

Background: The prognostic significance of a new classification system that incorporates the extent of cardiac injury (beyond the aortic valve) has been proposed in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Whether this can be applied to patients with moderate AS is unclear.

Methods: Based on the echocardiographic findings at the time of diagnosis of moderate AS (aortic valve area between 1.0 and 1.5 cm2 and dimensionless velocity index ratio of ≥0.25), a total of 1,245 patients were included and analyzed retrospectively. They were recategorized into 5 groups according to the extent of extra-aortic valvular cardiac abnormalities: none (Group 0), involving the left ventricle (Group 1), the left atrial or mitral valve (Group 2), the pulmonary artery vasculature or tricuspid valve (Group 3), or the right ventricle (Group 4). Patients were followed for all-cause mortality and combined endpoint (all-cause mortality, stroke, heart failure, or myocardial infarction).

Results: The distribution of patients according to the proposed classification was 13.1%, 26.8%, 42.6%, 10.6%, and 6.9% in Groups 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. During a median follow-up of 4.3 (2.4 to 6.9) years, 564 (45.3%) patients died. There was a significant higher mortality rates with increasing extent of extra-aortic valvular cardiac abnormalities (log-rank p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, the presence of extra-aortic valvular cardiac abnormalities remained independently associated with all-cause mortality and combined outcome, adjusted for aortic valve replacement as a time-dependent covariable. In particular, Group 2 and above were independently associated with all-cause mortality.

Conclusions: In patients with moderate AS, the presence of extra-aortic valvular cardiac abnormalities is associated with poor outcome.

Keywords: aortic stenosis; classification; prognosis; valvular heart disease.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Valve Stenosis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Echocardiography
  • Humans
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies