Quality of life and its associated factors in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Severe aortic stenosis (AS) significantly impacts patients’ quality of life (QoL). Although transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as a less invasive treatment option, its effects on QoL and associated factors remain inadequately explored. To evaluate QoL and its associated factors in patients with AS following TAVR.
Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled patients aged 25 years and older who underwent TAVR via transfemoral, transapical, or carotid artery approaches between January 2024 and February 2024. QoL was measured via the validated Chinese Cardiovascular Patients QoL Assessment Questionnaire. Clinical, demographic, and behavioral data were collected through structured interviews and medical record review. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of QoL across total and domain-specific scores.
Results A total of 102 patients were included, with 56.86% aged 71–80 years and 59.80% male. The majority of patients underwent TAVR via the transapical approach (87.25%). Hospital stay duration, medication adherence, and the age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (Age-CCI) score were identified as significant predictors of total QoL. Specifically, longer hospital stays and higher Age-CCI scores were negatively associated with QoL, whereas good medication adherence was positively associated with QoL. Additionally, regular physical exercise and hospital stay duration emerged as significant predictors across several QoL domains.
Conclusion QoL following TAVR is influenced by both clinical and behavioral factors, including hospital stay length, medication adherence, and comorbidity burden. Targeted interventions addressing these modifiable factors may enhance patient recovery and improve long-term QoL outcomes.

Keywords: Aortic stenosis; Transcatheter aortic valve replacement; Quality of life; Hospital stay.