Risk factors for bleeding complications in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

BACKGROUND: The risk of bleedings in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) patients increases due to age and concomitant diseases. The aim of the study was to assess the risk of bleedings, their influence on early prognosis of TAVI patients and utility of the TIMI and GUSTO scales in the evaluation of bleeding and in prediction of blood transfusion.

METHODS: This was a single center study of in-hospital bleedings in 56 consecutive TAVI patients. Bleedings were classified according to the GUSTO and TIMI scales. HASBLED's scale risk factors, diabetes mellitus, female sex, the route of bioprosthesis implantation and inhospital antithrombotic treatment were analyzed. Statistical analysis consisted of c2, Fisher's exact, Wilcoxon tests and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: Serious bleedings occurred in 35 (62.5%) patients. There was no significant correlation with HASBLED score. History of anemia was a significant predictor of bleeding in GUSTO (p = 0.0013) and TIMI (p = 0.048) scales. No bleedings in patients receiving vitamin K antagonists (VKA) pre- and VKA plus clopidogrel post intervention were observed. Patients with bleedings according to the GUSTO scale more often required blood tranfusion than in TIMI scale (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: History of anemia is the strongest predictor of serious bleedings. VKA before and VKA with clopidogrel after TAVI are safer than dual antiplatelet or triple therapy. The TIMI and GUSTO scales can adequately classify bleeding after TAVI, however the GUSTO better predicts transfusions.