The Effect of Subclinical Leaflet Thrombosis and Prosthesis Type on Transcatheter Aortic Valve Degeneration

A multicentre cross-sectional cohort study to assess the difference in bioprosthetic micro-calcification activity, detected with 18F-NaF PET-CT, as early marker of transcatheter valve degeneration, between patients with vs. without subclinical leaflet thrombosis at five years after TAVI; and between patients with intra-annular vs. supra-annular TAVI prostheses.

Inclusion Criteria:Successful TAVI with Sapien or CoreValve Evolut prosthesis about 5 years agoAble to undergo hybrid 18F-NaF PET-CT imaging and transthoracic echocardiographyWritten informed consentExclusion Criteria:Temporary or chronic oral anticoagulation use after TAVIKnown severe renal insufficiencyKnown severe paravalvular regurgitationHistory of valve-in-valve procedureHistory of aortic valve re-intervention (including percutaneous paravalvular leak closure)