Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty in the TAVI Era: A Multicenter Registry.

Background: Few clinical data about indications and prognoses of patients undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) in the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) era have been reported.
Methods: Data from all consecutive patients undergoing BAV in seven European centers from 2006 to 2013 were collected. Acute results and long-term outcomes were assessed.
Results: A total of 811 patients aged 82 ± 9 years were included; 416 patients (51%) underwent BAV as palliative destination therapy, 320 patients (40%) as bridge to TAVI, and 75 patients (9%) as bridge to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Patients undergoing BAV as destination therapy had a higher risk profile (logistic EuroSCORE, 20 ± 17 vs 22 ± 14 vs 11 ± 8, respectively; P<.001). Post procedure, peak gradient decreased from 87 ± 22 mm Hg to 66 ± 22 mm Hg (P<.001) and aortic valve area increased from 0.61 ± 0.2 cm2 to 0.8 ± 0.2 cm2 (P<.001). At 30 days, the all-cause death rate (6.5% vs 6.2% vs 7.4%, respectively; P=.56) and the rate of life-threatening and major bleedings (8.0% vs 5.7% vs 6.0%, respectively) did not differ between groups. After a mean follow-up of 318 days (range, 116-500 days), rates of all-cause death were similar (30% vs 34% vs 31%, respectively; P>.99), although patients undergoing BAV as bridge to SAVR showed a lower cardiovascular death rate (11% vs 11% vs 3%, respectively; P=.04).
Conclusion: In the TAVI era, BAV may represent a reasonable option for patients with severe aortic stenosis and temporary contraindications to definite therapy. Given the mortality rates at 30 days, patients should be carefully selected, while events at follow-up are deeply influenced by the decision of whether or not subsequent interventions are performed.