Protruding and Ulcerated Aortic Atheromas as Predictors of Periprocedural Ischemic Stroke Post-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Aortic atherosclerosis can affect the strategy and outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Limited investigation exists into how aortic atheroma morphology influences outcomes post-TAVR.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the influence of protruding and ulcerated aortic atheromas on periprocedural ischemic stroke post-TAVR.

Methods: This analysis included 977 patients who underwent TAVR between February 2010 and May 2019, with available contrast-enhanced computed tomography data. Protruding aortic atheroma was defined as atheroma of ≥3 mm thickness with protruding components. Ulcerated aortic atheroma was defined as atheroma with ulcer-like intimal disruption. The primary endpoint was periprocedural ischemic stroke within 30 days post-TAVR.

Results: In total, 43 (4.4%) experienced periprocedural ischemic stroke. Patients with protruding or ulcerated aortic atheroma had a significantly higher incidence of periprocedural stroke compared with those without (8.0% [95% CI: 4.9%-12.2%] vs 3.2% [95% CI: 2.1%-4.8%]; P = 0.003). Protruding or ulcerated atheroma (adjusted OR [aOR]: 2.55 [95% CI: 1.37-4.74]), particularly in the aortic arch (aOR: 3.86 [95% CI: 1.69-8.83]), independently increased periprocedural stroke risk. Among patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR with self-expandable valves (n = 315, 32%), protruding or ulcerated atheroma in the aortic arch was independently associated with periprocedural stroke (aOR: 9.04 [95% CI: 1.59-51.4]), whereas it was not among those with balloon-expandable valves (n = 580, 59%) (aOR: 2.85 [95% CI: 0.92-8.84]).

Conclusions: Protruding and ulcerated aortic atheromas are associated with a higher risk of periprocedural ischemic stroke post-TAVR. Careful selection of TAVR strategy, including valve type and procedural approach, is essential for patients with such aortic lesions.