Dual Antiplatelet Regimens for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and Corresponding Cardiac CT Evaluation of the Leaflets: Single-center Experience.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a globally established therapy. However, there is significant variability in the antithrombotic management post-procedure. The data on antiplatetet and direct antithrombin agents suggest antiplatelet agents suffice. The degree of leaflet thickening on cardiac CT and the clinical implications of this finding remain poorly understood. Here, the authors aim to examine a low-risk cohort treated with dual antiplatelet therapy and the corresponding cardiac CT and clinical findings.

Methods: This is a descriptive single center study examining patients who received dual antiplatelet therapy post-TAVR from 2017 to 2019. Patients underwent clinical, echocardiographic and cardiac CT follow up. Signs and symptoms of ischemic stroke, valve function, gradient, and cardiac CT findings of hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening and reduced leaflet mobility were recorded for all those who completed 6 months of follow-up. The study was registered and approved by the Ethics Committee.

Results: A total of 116 patients were included. Hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening was detected in 11 patients. Only one had accompanying reduced leaflet mobility and an increase in gradient. This patient did not have any evidence of stroke or valve dysfunction. After switching to rivaroxaban, the gradient improved and a repeat cardiac CT demonstrated resolution of the leaflet thickening.

Conclusion: This study illustrates the utility of cardiac CT in detecting leaflet thickening and restricted mobility post-TAVR in low-risk individuals treated with dual antiplatelet therapy. However, its role in guiding antithrombotic regimens cannot be ascertained from this study and additional larger scale studies comparing different regimens in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients are necessary.

Trial registration: N/A.