Background
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, and PAD risk factors overlap with those for aortic stenosis (AS). The prevalence of and outcomes associated with PAD in a population undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is unknown.
Methods and Results
Using the STS/TVT Registry linked to Medicare claims data, we identified patients ≥ 65 years old undergoing TAVR from 2011-2015. We calculated hazard ratios (HR) for 1-year adverse outcomes, including mortality, readmission, and bleeding, for patients with PAD compared with those without, adjusting for baseline characteristics and post-procedure medications. Analyses were performed separately by access site (transfemoral [TF] and non-TF). Of 19,660 patients undergoing TF TAVR, 4,810 (24.5%) had PAD; 3,730 (47.9%) of 7,780 patients undergoing non-TF TAVR had PAD. In both groups, patients with PAD were significantly more likely to have coronary and carotid artery disease. At 1-year follow-up, patients with PAD undergoing TAVR via TF access had a higher incidence of death (16.8 vs. 14.4%; adjusted HR 1.14, p = 0.01), readmission (45.5 vs, 42.1%; HR 1.11, p < 0.001), and bleeding (23.1 vs. 19.7%; HR 1.18, p < 0.001) compared with patients without PAD. Patients with PAD undergoing TAVR via non-TF access did not have significantly higher rates of 1-year mortality or readmission compared with patients without PAD.
Conclusions
PAD is common among patients undergoing commercial TAVR via TF and non-TF access. Among patients undergoing TF TAVR, PAD is associated with a higher incidence of 1-year adverse outcomes compared with absence of PAD.