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INTRODUCTION@#Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant comorbidity in aortic stenosis (AS) patients. We examined the impact of baseline CKD, postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) and CKD progression on clinical outcomes in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#Consecutive patients with severe AS who underwent TAVI were classified into CKD stages 1-2 (≥60 mL/min/1.72m), 3 (30-59 mL/min/1.73m) and 4-5 (<30 mL/min/1.73m or dialysis) based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Primary outcome was mortality and secondary outcomes included 1-year echocardiographic data on aortic valve area (AVA), mean pressure gradient (MPG) and aortic regurgitation (AR).@*RESULTS@#A total of 216 patients were included. Higher eGFR was associated with lower overall mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [AHR] 0.981, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.968-0.993, = 0.002). CKD 4-5 were associated with significantly higher mortality from non-cardiovascular causes ( <0.05). Patients with CKD 3-5 had higher incidence of moderate AR than those with CKD 1-2 ( = 0.010); no difference in AVA and MPG was seen. AKI patients had higher mortality ( = 0.008), but the effect was attenuated on multivariate analysis (AHR 1.823, 95% CI 0.977-3.403, = 0.059). Patients with CKD progression also had significantly higher mortality (AHR 2.969, 95% CI 1.373-6.420, = 0.006).@*CONCLUSION@#CKD in severe AS patients undergoing TAVI portends significantly higher mortality and morbidity. Renal disease progression impacts negatively on outcomes and identifies a challenging subgroup of patients for optimal management.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION@#Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a known sequela after acute pulmonary embolism (PE). It is a debilitating disease, and potentially fatal if left untreated. This review provides a clinically relevant overview of the disease and discusses the usefulness and limitations of the various investigational and treatment options.@*METHODS@#A PubMed search on articles relevant to PE, pulmonary hypertension, CTEPH, pulmonary endarterectomy, and balloon pulmonary angioplasty were performed. A total of 68 articles were found to be relevant and were reviewed.@*RESULTS@#CTEPH occurs as a result of non-resolution of thrombotic material, with subsequent fibrosis and scarring of the pulmonary arteries. Risk factors have been identified, but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. The cardinal symptom of CTEPH is dyspnoea on exertion, but the diagnosis is often challenging due to lack of awareness. The ventilation/perfusion scan is recommended for screening for CTEPH, with other modalities (eg. dual energy computed tomography pulmonary angiography) also being utilised in expert centres. Conventional pulmonary angiography with right heart catheterisation is important in the final diagnosis of CTEPH.@*CONCLUSION@#Operability assessment by a multidisciplinary team is crucial for the management of CTEPH, as pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) remains the guideline recommended treatment and has the best chance of cure. For inoperable patients or those with residual disease post-PEA, medical therapy or balloon pulmonary angioplasty are potential treatment options.