569 IMPACT OF FRAILTY ON VERY LONG-TERM OUTCOME IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING PERCUTANEOUS TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE IMPLANTATION (TAVI) IN A HIGH-FLOW REFERRAL CENTER: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Authors: Fumagalli Carlo , Nardi Giulia , Bonanni Francesca , Credi Giacomo , Demola Pierluigi , Carrabba Nazario , Valenti Renato , Meucci Francesco , Stefano Pierluigi , Scheggi Valentina , Di Mario Carlo , Ungar Andrea , Baldasseroni Samuele , Marchionni Niccolò 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Background
Transcatheter strategies for aortic stenosis (AS) are a therapeutic option in older patients not amenable for open heart surgery. Guidelines recommend surgical scores like the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for risk stratification. However, the long-term predictive power of these scores in older patients is limited.

Purpose
To assess the impact of frailty status on the very long-term mortality in patients with severe AS evaluated for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in a high-flow and high-volume tertiary care center.

Methods
Consecutive patients &gt;80 years referred to TAVI from January to December 2019 at our tertiary care institution were prospectively screened for frailty through a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) based on physical function and the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI).
The MPI is a three-level score used to stratify frailty and risk of mortality (low, intermediate, or high risk) based on eight key domains for frailty assessment (functional and cognitive status, nutrition, mobility, and risk of pressure sores, multimorbidity, polypharmacy and co-habitation).
Frailty was defined by an intermediate-high MPI. Patients were also analyzed by STS score (&lt;4%: low risk; 4-8%: intermediate risk; &gt;8%: high risk). All patients prospectively called at 1, 2 and 3 years from TAVI.

Results
Overall, 134 patients were referred for TAVI (mean age: 84±4 years; &gt;90 years: 12%, women 67%). Average STS score was 4.6 ± 3.0 (low risk: 49%; intermediate: 39%, high risk: 12%). Mean SPPB was 6.3±3.7 (SPPB &lt;6: 32%). Ninety-five (71%) patients belonged to the MPI-low risk group, 30 (22%) to the MPI intermediate risk group and nine (7%) to the MPI high risk group.
After 3 years, 17 (12.7%) patients died, and 40 (29.9%) were hospitalized: 21 (15.7%) for cardiovascular complications (N=11 for acute heart failure, N=6 for major bleeding, N=4 for stroke). Four patients (2.9%) implanted a pacemaker. One patient (0.7%) required a de-novo intervention.
At Cox multivariable analysis, only frailty (MPI intermediate-high) was associated with mortality (HR 5.42, 95% C.I. 1.88-12.11, p=0.002) while a high STS score showed a trend towards higher mortality risk (HR 1.63, 95% C.I. 0.91-2.91, p=0.101). Overall, at Kaplan Meier survival analysis, patients considered fit (non-frail) were characterized by a better prognosis irrespective of STS score (&lt;8 vs &gt;8).

Conclusions
In a prospectively enrolled cohort of old TAVI candidates, frailty status was able to identify patients at higher risk of mortality irrespective of STS risk. Frailty assessment could be a useful tool, coupled with other scores, for early detection of patients at risk of disability, and potentially, for preventing the futility of the TAVI procedure.