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Background/Introduction Arterial stiffness and aortic hemodynamics are independent predictors of adverse cardiovascular events. Indications for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are expanding and aortic valve calcifications (AVC) are an important prognostic factor of the success of TAVI. Purpose We sought to investigate the associations between AVC and aortic vascular function/hemodynamics. Methods Fifty-two high-risk patients (mean age 80.4±8.5 years, 27 male) with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI were included. Arterial stiffness was estimated through carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Aortic hemodynamics (aortic pressures, aortic augmentation index corrected for heart rate [AIx@75]) were also measured. Measurements were conducted prior to the implantation and at discharge. In all patients, a native and contrast-enhanced multislice cardiac computed tomography were performed pre-interventionally. AVC were then graded semi-quantitatively as follows: grade 1 – no calcification; grade 2 – mildly calcified (small isolated spots); grade 3 – moderately calcified (multiple larger spots); grade 4 – severely calcified (extensive calcification of all cusps). Results Group 1 (subjects with none/mild AVC, n=29) did not significantly differ in age, gender and body-mass index compared to group 2 (subjects with moderate/severe AVC, n=23). As far as the traditional cardiovascular risk factors were concerned, only hypertension (p=0.008), coronary artery disease (p=0.016), atrial fibrillation (p=0.075) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (p=0.068) were found to be more prevalent in group 2. Group 2 had significantly higher both cfPWV and baPWV (8.3±1.7 vs 7.2±1.2 m/s and 1750±484 cm/s vs. 2101±590 cm/s with p=0.008 and p=0.022 respectively) compared to Group 1 (Figure 1). Even after adjustment for age, gender and systolic blood pressure, aortic stiffness indices were higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (p=0.038 and p=0.048, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in peripheral or aortic pressures as well as in wave reflections indices between the two groups. Conclusion Our study shows that in patients with aortic valve stenosis there is a correlation between increased aortic stiffness and a greater extent of damage of aortic valvular leaflets as well as calcifications. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1. PWV and aortic valve calcifications

Arterial stiffness and valvular calcifications in aortic stenosis: caught between a rock and a hard place