The impact of left ventricular hypertrophy on patient outcomes has already been demonstrated in analyses from the PARTNER trials. Greater left ventricular (LV) mass before TAVR is linked to increased mortality and rehospitalization at five years.3 In addition, a greater reduction in LV mass one year after TAVR is associated with improved long-term outcomes.4
Aortic stenosis is more than a valve disease
Aortic stenosis (AS) extends beyond being solely a valvular condition; it also affects other parts of the cardiovascular system, influencing both upstream and downstream structures such as the arteries and the heart muscle.
- The aortic valve calcifies and narrows, disrupting blood flow.
- Altered blood flow from a stenotic valve increases wall shear stress, which can lead to aortic dilation and potentially dangerous aortic dissection.1
- Due to valve narrowing and stiffening, the left ventricle must generate higher pressure, leading to thickening of its muscular walls (hypertrophy).2
LV Hypertrophy
The real endpoint isn't the valve—it's the ventricle
Beyond the Gradient: The Science of Flow
Mean pressure gradients (MPG) are helpful and easy measurements before and after a TAVR procedure. However, they don't tell the full story when it comes to optimal flow. Patients may have good gradients (<10 mmHg) following a TAVR procedure, but they may still experience symptoms and may not experience LV mass regression. Flow dynamics may be an important missing piece of the puzzle.
A New Discovery
Laminar Flow Associated with Improved LV Mass Regression
In a statistical analysis of echo and CMR data from 39 paired patients pre-and post-DurAVR® implantation, both change in mean pressure gradient AND change in flow reversal ratio were significantly and independently correlated with the extent of LV mass regression. (Endpoint: ≥10g LV mass regression)5
What the MRI data reveal about post-TAVR flow
When compared to a healthy aortic valve using cardiac MRI, DurAVR® THV showed no significant difference in flow.
In addition, baseline 4D cardiac MRI from the DurAVR® THV EFS study shows turbulent flow with helical and vortical flow patterns, while imagery taken 6 months post-DurAVR® THV implantation shows evidence of healthy laminar flow through the valve and into the ascending aorta. Cardiac MRI is considered the gold standard for assessing and quantifying valve flow dynamics.
From Replacement to Restoration
DurAVR® THV has demonstrated a restorative effect on Left Ventricular Mass
DurAVR® THV has demonstrated a restorative effect on Left Ventricular Mass
Patients treated with DurAVR® THV have experienced significant left ventricular (LV) mass regression, measured on cardiac MRI. Matched analysis also confirmed that the LV mass after treatment with DurAVR® THV was comparable to levels seen in healthy controls.
Patients treated with DurAVR® THV have experienced significant left ventricular (LV) mass regression, measured on cardiac MRI. Matched analysis also confirmed that the LV mass after treatment with DurAVR® THV was comparable to levels seen in healthy controls.
LV Mass Pre- and Post-DurAVR® THV
LV Mass
(g)
LV Mass Post-DurAVR® THV Matched to Healthy Controls
LV Mass
(g)
FIH Study, Presented at TCT 2024
The Anteris Hypothesis
Resources
Check out these resources to dive deeper into key topics like laminar flow and LV mass regression.
References
- Garg P, Markl M, Sathananthan J, Sellers SL, Meduri C, Cavalcante J. Restoration of flow in the aorta: a novel therapeutic target in aortic valve intervention. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2024;21(4):264-273
- Bornstein AB, Rao SS, Marwaha K. Left Ventricular Hypertrophy. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/books/NBK557534/
- Gonzales H, Douglas PS, Pibarot P, et al. Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Clinical Outcomes Over 5 Years After TAVR: An Analysis of the PARTNER Trials and Registries. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2020;13(11):1329-1339. doi:10.1016/j. jcin.2020.03.011
- Chau K, Douglas P, Pibarot P, et al. Regression of left ventricular mass after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: The PARTNER trials and registries. JACC. 2020;75(19): 2446–2458. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2020.03.042
- Garg P, Meduri CU, Rogers T, Asgar AW, Rommel KP, Attizzani G, et al. Biomimetic transcatheter aortic valve replacement restores ascending aortic flow toward native physiology: a first-in-human prospective imaging study. Eur Heart J Valv Heart Dis. 2026;2(1)