Aortic Annular Enlargement in the Elderly: Short and Long-Term Outcomes in the United States.

Abstract Background Patient prosthesis mismatch (PPM) is associated with significant long-term morbidity and mortality after aortic valve replacement, but the role and outcomes of annular enlargement (AE) remains poorly defined. We hypothesized that increasing rates of AE may lead to improved outcomes for patients at risk for severe PPM. Methods Patients over age 65 undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) with or without coronary artery bypass grafting from 2008-2016 in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (STS-ACSD) with matching Center for Medicare Services data were included (n=189,268). Univariate, multivariate, and time-to-event analysis was used to evaluate the association between AE and early and late outcomes. Patients were stratified by projected degree of PPM based on calculated effective orifice area index (EOAi). Results A total of 5,412 (2.9%) patients underwent AE. STS predicted mortality was similar between AE and non-AE groups (2.97% vs 2.99%, p=0.052). Patients undergoing AE had higher risk-adjusted rates of 30-day complications and death (5.4% vs 3.4%, p Conclusions These data suggest annular enlargement during SAVR is associated with increased short-term risk in a Medicare population. Survival curves crossed after three years, which may portend a benefit in select patients. However, annular enlargement is still only done in the minority of patients who are at risk for PPM.