Factors Contributing to Hospital-Associated Disability in Elderly Patients After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Abstract

Background: Hospital-associated disability (HAD), characterized by a worsening of activities of daily living and physical function following hospitalization, is a common complication in older adults during the course of acute care hospitalization. HAD is a significant concern affecting older adults undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods and Results: This retrospective study investigated 243 consecutive patients who underwent elective transfemoral TAVI between January 2016 and April 2022. HAD was defined as a decrease of at least 1 point in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) assessed before discharge compared with before TAVI. Logistic regression identified the first ambulation day after TAVI as an independent predictor of HAD incidence (odds ratio 1.500; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.115–2.008; P=0.007). Patients with HAD had significantly lower body mass index, hemoglobin, and albumin, and higher serum creatinine. All-cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with than without HAD (log-rank P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis confirmed poorer survival in patients with HAD, regardless of the degree of decline in SPPB. Multivariate Cox analysis regression identified HAD as a predictor of all-cause death (hazard ratio 4.249; 95% CI 1.798–10.04; P<0.001).

Conclusions: The timing of the first ambulation was associated with the incidence of HAD. Promoting early mobilization may reduce the risk of HAD after TAVI.