Prognostic Value of Myocardial Fibrosis in Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis

Degenerative aortic valve stenosis (AS) is the most common valve heart disease in the developed Western countries. The hemodynamic progression of AS occurs over time and leads to LV hypertrophy (LVH) as a compensation mechanism of the heart. Morphological changes such as increasing muscle fibre thickness, collagen volume, and interstitial fibrosis occur in AS patients. These changes result in left ventricular (LV) diastolic and systolic dysfunction and, consequently, to with AS related symptoms. When symptoms associated with AS appear, patients' prognosis is poor if surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or a trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is not performed. Primary hypothesis of the research: fibrotic changes in the myocardium are related to immediate (in hospital) or long-term complications (MACE and all-cause mortality) in patients with severe AS. The goal of the study is to determine the prognostic implications of focal as well as diffuse myocardial fibrosis in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis.