Acute Kidney Injury and Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibition Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Objective: To identify renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibition utilization and discontinuation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and identify predictors of use and discontinuation.

Background: RAS inhibition after TAVR has been associated with lower cardiac mortality and heart failure readmissions.

Methods: We analyzed 735 consecutive TAVR patients (2014-2019) who survived to hospital discharge at a high-volume TAVR center to determine the utilization and discontinuation of RAS inhibition after TAVR and identify predictors of use and discontinuation. Clinical characteristics, procedural variables, and hospital outcomes were compared between patients receiving vs not receiving discharge RAS inhibitors. Data were compared using t-test and Chi-square test. Multivariable analysis was used to determine independent clinical predictors.

Results: Of the 735 patients, 41.9% were discharged with at least 1 RAS inhibitor. In TAVR patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), defined as EF ≤40%, the utilization of RAS inhibitors at discharge was 51.1%. Patients receiving discharge RAS inhibitors had lower incidences of acute kidney injury (AKI) post procedure (8.1% vs 17.8%; P<.01). Discontinuation of RAS inhibition was observed in approximately 1 in 3 patients and was associated with AKI and pacemaker requirement. Three predictors of RAS inhibitor utilization were higher systolic blood pressure, RAS inhibitor use prior to TAVR, and HFrEF. Conversely, new pacemaker and AKI were associated with less utilization of RAS inhibitors; patients developing AKI were 74% less likely to receive RAS inhibitors than those without AKI.

Conclusion: Decreased RAS inhibition provides a potential mechanism for worse outcomes in TAVR patients who develop AKI.