Effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on the ascending aorta’s elasticity

Background

The elastic properties of the ascending aorta were studied before and 1?week after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Previous studies have shown that the distensibility of the ascending aorta was decreased in the early post-operative period after aortic valve replacement. Aortic stiffness is a major moderator of arterio-ventricular coupling and an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk and mortality. We evaluated the effect of TAVI on the elastic properties of the ascending aorta in the early post-operative period.

Methods

Aortic distensibility (AD) and Aortic Stiffness Index (ASI) were evaluated using echocardiographic techniques and brachial artery pressure obtained by sphygmomanometry 2–3?days before and 7–8?days after TAVI.

Results

A total of 30 patients (14 males) were studied with a mean age of 79.9?±?4.7?years and aortic valve area before TAVI of 0.61?±?0.16?cm². Mean arterial pressure decreased significantly after TAVI (from 89.6?±?8.9?mmHg to 83.3?±?10.9?mmHg, p?=?0.004). AD did not change significantly after TAVI (pre: 1.89?±?1.11?cm²/(dynes?×?10⁶), post: 2.05?±?1.50?cm²/(dynes?×?10⁶); p?=?0.813). ASI also remained unchanged (pre: 11.4?±?6.5, post: 15.6?±?14.9; p?=?0.349).

Conclusions

The elastic properties of the ascending aorta did not change significantly in the early post-procedural period after TAVI. This may in part be attributable to the less invasive procedure (compared to aortic valve replacement) which has no effect on vasa vasorum flow.     

The mandibularly fixed hinge axis--investigation of patients with sound and pathological jaws.

In former works, we had proved that test persons with sound temporomandibular joints (TMJs) used a mandibularly fixed hinge axis (MFHA) and were able to pilot the mandible by solely two kinematical degrees of freedom. We wondered if we could evaluate the MFHA the same way for patients who had problems with their TMJs. Actually, the MFHA could be determined likewise. The results could provide information on the reason for the distortion of the movement of the TMJs, which cannot be yielded by X-ray radiographs.     

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