Variation of computed tomographic angiography-based fractional flow reserve after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Objectives We sought to identify the impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on changes of fractional flow reserve computed tomography (FFRCT) values and the associated clinical impact. Methods A retrospective analysis was done with CT obtained pre-TAVI, prior to hospital discharge and at 1-year follow-up, which provided imaging sources for the calculation of FFRCT values based on an online platform. Results A total of 190 patients were enrolled. Patients with pre-procedural FFRCT value > 0.80 (i.e., negative) and <= 0.80 (i.e., positive) demonstrated a significantly opposite change in the value after TAVI (0.8798 vs. 0.8718, p < 0.001 and 0.7634 vs. 0.8222, p < 0.001, respectively). The history of coronary artery disease (CAD) was identified as an independent predictor for FFRCT changing from negative to positive after TAVI (odds ratio [OR] 2.927, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.130-7.587, p = 0.027), with lesions more severely stenosed (OR 1.039, 95% CI 1.003-1.076, p = 0.034) and in left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) (OR 3.939, 95% CI 1.060-14.637, p = 0.041) being prone to change. Conclusions TAVI directly brings improvement in FFRCT values in patients with compromised coronary flow. Patients with a history of CAD, especially with lesions more severely stenosed and in LAD, were under risk of FFRCT changing from negative to positive after TAVI.