Hypoattenuated leaflet thickening is associated with silent brain injury

Abstract Background The association between hypoattenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and stroke remains contradictory. Whether HALT carries an increased risk of subclinical brain injury (SBI) has not been investigated. Purpose We investigated whether is associated with SBI on MRI. Furthermore, we assessed post-TAVR impacts the patients' cognition outcome. Methods 153 patients undergoing TAVR were prospectively enrolled. Brain MRI was performed shortly 6 months (6M) later to assess occurrence acute silent cerebral ischaemic lesions (SCIL) chronic white matter hyperintensities (WMH). screened by cardiac CT angiography 6M post-TAVR. Neurocognitive evaluation before, after TAVR. Results At 6M, 115 had diagnostic CTA 10 HALT. status, baseline follow-up MRIs available in 91 cases. new SCIL evident 16%, WMH 66%. New more frequent (100% vs 62%; p=0.047) higher median volume (319 50 mm3; p=0.039) among HALT-patients. In uni- multivariate analysis, (beta: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.2–1.39; p=0.009). cognitive trajectory from pre-TAVR showed significant −4.69; −9.13 −027; p=0.038), but related presence or WMH. During a 3.1-year neither HALT, nor burden mortality (HALT HR: 0.86, 0,202–3,687; p=0.84; 1.09; 0,701–1,680; p=0.71). Conclusions post-TAVR, linked greater burden, did carry decline over follow-up. Funding Acknowledgement Type funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main source(s): János Bolyai Scholarship Hungarian Academy Sciences