Journal Article Ahead of print
PubMed: 41780659 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2026.03.005
Incidence, Predictors and Outcomes of Stroke Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation - A Multicentre Australian Experience.
Am J Cardiol
Authors: Anant D Butala, Shane Nanayakkara, Rozanne Johnston, Ellen Gardner, Elisha Gartner, Sonny Palmer, Samer Noaman, Nay M Htun, David M Kaye, Antony S Walton, Dion Stub
Affiliations
- Department of Cardiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Cardiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Cabrini Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash-Alfred-Baker Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Cardiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Cardiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Cabrini Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Cardiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash-Alfred-Baker Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Cardiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash-Alfred-Baker Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Cardiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Cabrini Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash-Alfred-Baker Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
Stroke is a serious complication following transcatheter aortic valve implantation, associated with increased disability and mortality. Despite this, there is a lack of patient-level data examining stroke in contemporary, lower-risk TAVI populations and limited literature exploring the temporal evolution in stroke-incidence among real-world cohorts. We aimed to assess the incidence, predictors and outcomes of stroke in a modern group of TAVI patients across the clinical risk spectrum. We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 2014 to 2025 included in an Australian multi-centre registry. Stroke and other outcome measures were defined in accordance with the Valve Academic Research Consortium-3 guidelines. Of 3823 patients, median age 82 (IQR: 77, 86), 60% male and median STS score 3.3 (2.0, 5.3), 54 (1.4%) patients experienced a stroke prior to hospital discharge. Stroke incidence did not reduce across the study period (2014-2017: 0.8% vs 2018-2021: 1.4% vs 2022-2025: 1.5%, P trend=0.651). Independent predictors of stroke were prior radiotherapy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.8, 95% CI 1.1-7.3, p=0.033), use of a self-expanding valve (aOR: 2.9, 95% CI 1.4-6.1, p=0.004) and non-femoral access (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.1-12.2, p=0.040). Post-TAVI stroke was a strong predictor of 12-month all-cause mortality in Cox proportional hazards regression modelling (adjusted hazard ratio: 7.8, 95% CI 3.9-15.7, p<0.001). In conclusion, stroke remains an uncommon but serious TAVI complication in contemporary practice patients. Despite demographic and procedural evolution, there was no reduction in stroke incidence across the study-period. Further research investigating novel strategies for stroke prevention is required.
MeSH
Mortality, Stroke, Incidence, Aortic Valve, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement