UC physician-researcher explores why TAVR doesn't work well for some patients

Reviewed by Emily Henderson, B.Sc.Jun 3 2020

A University of Cincinnati physician-researcher says unlocking the key to how platelets function before, after and during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may provide insight as to why some patients undergoing the heart procedure have better outcomes than others.

We are looking at how platelets' ability to contribute to clot formation are impacted by inflammation associated with endovascular procedures such as TAVR. We hope that these studies will help us understand why some patients have a persistent drop in platelet count which may be associated with excessive bleeding or clotting issues."

Donald Lynch, MD, assistant professor in the UC College of Medicine and UC Health cardiologist

Aortic stenosis, or narrowing of the valve in the blood vessel, occurs when the heart's aortic valve thickens leading to a reduction in its opening. It affects about 4% of the population over age 75 and is a leading cause of heart failure and the need for transcatheter aortic valve replacements.

Lynch will conduct an observational study of 150 heart valve replacement patients at UC Medical Center and the University of Kentucky. These patients will undergo TAVR, a procedure in which a catheter-mounted valve is inserted through a small incision in the groin and is minimally invasive compared to open heart surgery. Patients who consent to participate in the study will have blood drawn before the procedure begins, prior to discharge and during clinic follow-ups to determine what biomarkers are predictive of short- and long-term clinical outcomes.

Lynch's research is supported by a five-year grant of $898,020 recently awarded from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The research grant number is 1K23HL151872-01.

"TARV has become the gold standard for patients who have a narrowing of the aortic valve," says Lynch. "Traditionally, the only way to definitely address patients with a narrowed aortic valve was to take them into the operating room, open their chest and take out the old valve and put in a new one. But during the past 14 years, TAVR has become an option for many patients."

"The advantage is patients can usually go home the next day," says Lynch. "Most patients do quite well, but there is a subset of patients that may have problems with clotting leading to a stroke or other issues such as bleeding. My study will help to determine why some patients may develop these issues and help us to find better ways to reduce this risk."

"We are assessing components of blood itself using samples collected during the procedure to better understand how platelets and coagulation proteins may react differently in older versus younger patients," says Lynch. "We are trying to determine how to best treat these patients."

"My study is crucial because it helps to personalize therapies for patients," says Lynch.