For a study, researchers sought to evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with severe gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and severe aortic stenosis to resolve GIB. Patients with severe GIB were identified by abnormal hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, overt bleeding, or a positive fecal occult blood test. All 3 of these symptoms point to blood in the feces. Comparisons were made between the groups’ pre-TAVI clinical and procedural factors and their post-TAVI outcomes. There were a total of 1,192 patients who had TAVI, and 164 patients (13.8%) were classified as having severe GIB. Association of Thoracic Surgeons In the severe GIB group, the Predicted Risk of Mortality scores were greater than in the non-GIB group (8.8±5.3 vs. 7.6±4.5, P=0.002). The 30-day death rate was comparable across all groups (P>0.05), with an overall rate of 3.2% (38 of 1,192) for the entire cohort. About 130 (79.3%) of the 164 TAVIs with severe GIB got resolution of their GIB following their TAVI. After TAVI, patients with unresolved GIB showed greater aortic valve mean pressure gradients (15.0±5.3 vs. 9.0±4.3). TAVI was associated with significant drops in the prevalence of severe GIB. Despite having a higher baseline risk, patients who suffered from severe GIB had outcomes equivalent to those who did not suffer from GIB, including mortality at 30 days. Patients who had severe aortic stenosis and severe GIB might benefit from TAVI since it was a therapy option that was both safe and effective.
Source – ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(22)00526-4/fulltext
