Prognostic implications of left ventricular asymmetry in patients with asymptomatic aortic valve stenosis

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Left ventricular (LV) regional hypertrophy in the form of LV asymmetry is a common finding in patients with aortic valve stenosis. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that LV asymmetry predicts future symptomatic status and indication for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with asymptomatic aortic valve stenosis. Methods and results In total, 114 patients with asymptomatic aortic valve stenosis (peak velocity > 2.5 m/s assessed by echocardiographic screening and LV ejection fraction > 50%) were enrolled in the study. LV asymmetry and LV geometry was assessed by multi-detector computed tomography according to previous definitions. Follow-up was conducted using electronic health records. Event-free survival was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. Patients were followed for a median of 2.2 years (interquartile range 1.6-3.6). Indication for AVR occurred in 46 patients (40%). Patients with LV asymmetry had more than 3 times the risk of AVR (hazard ratio: 3.16; 95% CI: 1.77-5.66; P < 0.001) compared with patients with no LV asymmetry. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that LV asymmetry was a predictor of future need of AVR (hazard ratio: 3.10; 95% CI: 1.44-6.65; P = 0.004), independent of LV geometry, jet velocity, valvular calcification, and pro-BNP. Conclusions LV asymmetry is an independent predictor of future need for AVR in patients with asymptomatic aortic valve stenosis. It has incremental prognostic value to LV geometry and may provide a useful method of risk stratification.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Heart Journal Cardiovascular Imaging
Volume19
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)168-175
Number of pages8
ISSN2047-2404
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

    Research areas

  • Aortic valve replacement, Aortic valve stenosis, Cardiac computed tomography, Left ventricular hypertrophy, Wall thickness

ID: 214340156