Objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has proven a survival benefit in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). Recently published data from the German TAVI registry reported a 1-year mortality rate of 19.9 %. However, there are limited data for the effect of TAVI on quality of life (QoL), especially in real life settings.
Methods: The German TAVI registry was launched to evaluate safety, effectiveness and QoL of TAVI in daily clinical routine. We analyzed health-related QoL, using the EQ-5D questionnaire.
Results: Quality-of-life data were eligible for 460 patients who survived 12 months after TAVI (82.5 ± 6.0 years; 32.2 % men). At baseline, QoL (EQ-5D-index: 0.63 ± 0.26) was markedly depressed, but significantly improved 30 days and 12 months (0.67 ± 0.24; 0.70 ± 0.24; p < 0.0001) after TAVI procedure. In addition, the visual analogue health scale, recording the patient's self-rated health, significantly (p < 0.0001) increased from 42.0 ± 15.9 % at baseline to 57.0 ± 17.2 % (30 days) and 57.7 ± 19.6 % (12 months). A lower EQ-5D-index at baseline, a percutaneous transfemoral/transaxillar TAVI procedure, and indications other than frailty for TAVI were determinants for an improved QoL 1 year after TAVI.
Conclusions: Among patients with AS, TAVI resulted in meaningful improvements in QoL. This benefit was present shortly after TAVI and maintained for at least 1 year. Different gains in QoL regarding patient-subgroups and determinants for improved QoL could give further impetus for patient selection.
Keywords: EQ-5D; Quality of life; Registry; TAVI; Transcatheter aortic valve implantation.