We performed a prospective analysis of 99 patients (41 male) aged 82 years (range 57-94 years) who underwent TAVI. For assessment of QoL, the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire was used preoperatively and 3 months after TAVI.
Thirty-day mortality rate was 10.1 % . The Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire scores for physical functioning (34.7 ± 2.8 vs 48.5 ± 3.4, P < .001), bodily pain (61.7 ± 3.1 vs 73.2 ± 2.9, P < .01), general health (47.1 ± 1.9 vs 54.1 ± 2.3, P< .01), and vitality (37 ± 2.8 vs 46.1 ± 2.7, P < .01) increased significantly 3 months after TAVI compared with preoperative scores. No significant changes were found for role-physical (21.7 ± 4.1 vs 31.1 ± 5.1, P < .08), social functioning (74.6 ± 3.4 vs 74.6 ± 3.1, P = 1), and mental health (63 ± 2.9 vs 67.4 ± 2.2, P = .17) 3 months after TAVI. Only the score for role-emotional (69.3 ± 5.6 vs 51.7 ± 6, P = .02) decreased significantly 3 months after TAVI compared with the preoperative score. Corresponding to these results, the physical health summarized score (31.2 ± 1.2 vs 38.6 ± 1.6, P < .001) was significantly increased 3 months after TAVI compared with the preoperative score, whereas the mental health summarized score (48.5 ± 1.8 vs 47.3 ± 1.7, P = .5) showed no changes.
In patients who are not eligible for conventional aortic valve replacement, TAVI leads to a considerable QoL improvement within 3 months after valve implantation.