Cardiac Disease in Women

Health & research

Jan 22

Who: Haukeland University Hospital

What: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

Where: Bergen

Project period: 2018 – 2020

Aortic valve stenosis is a result of a degeneration and often calcification of the aortic valve. This the commonest valvular heart disease and is treated by surgery or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Untreated aortic stenosis leads to pressure overload of the left ventricle of the heart, chest pain and dyspnea, and ultimately death.

Aortic stenosis is diagnosed by echocardiography and Doppler measurements; increased velocity represents increased gradient and more severe stenosis. Treatment relief symptoms and structural changes in the heart may reverse towards normal.

Objectives and project goals

Explore the impact of TAVI on cardiac structure and function in patients with aortic stenosis.
Identify the echocardiographic predictors of reverse left ventricular remodelling.
Assess survival benefits according to baseline risk profile.
Evaluate long-term therapeutic success as reflected by reduction in global left ventricular load (valvular-arterial impedance).
Assess the impact of various types of blood pressure response immediately after TAVI on cardiac structure, function and long term prognosis.