The long-term effect of surgical aortic valve replacement on arterial stiffness and wave reflections

Abstract Background Assessing arterial properties in patients with aortic valve stenosis undergoing surgical replacement (SAVR) is difficult, and the results to date have been inconclusive. Purpose We sought investigate how SAVR affects vascular stiffness short long term. Methods included 69 (mean age 70.8±8.4 years, 62% men) severe symptomatic who underwent SAVR. Arterial was assessed using carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) brachial-ankle (baPWV). Measurements an ankle-brachial index (ABI) <0.9 were excluded from analysis for baPWV measurments because a low ABI can affect accuracy of baPWV. Augmentation corrected heart rate (Alx@75), central pressures subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) tonometry. conducted at baseline, acute phase 1 year after operation. Results Immediately there increase cfPWV (8.04±1.3 m/s vs 8.54±1.6 m/s, p=0.02) that sustained 9.42±2.4 p≤0.001). Similarly, (n=55) increased (1633±429 cm/s 2014±606 cm/s, p<0.001) persisted postoperatively 1867±408 p<0.001). Post-SAVR we also observed decrease Alx@75 (31.02±10% 22.73±12%, p≤0.001) attenuated later 26.65±8%, p≤0.001), SEVR (136.1±30.4% 149.2±37.7%, p=0.01) which remained improved 147.5±30.4%, p=0.01). Conclusions After system shows response relief obstruction, retained Funding Acknowledgement Type funding sources: None.