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In TAVI patients, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common concomitant disease. Given the fact that calcified severe aortic stenosis (AS) limits the blood flow that reaches the periphery, it is conceivable that the treatment of AS may positively influence the peripheral perfusion. To evaluate whether, and if so, how the peripheral perfusion changes after TAVI in patients with PAD comparing with patients without PAD. On the basis of objective vascular tests, peripheral perfusion in the lower extremities were studied in 108 TAVI patients with or without concomitant PAD. 108 consecutive patients with a median logistic EuroSCORE of 12.7 (IQR: 8.5 to 22.0) % underwent TAVI with an extensive pre- and post-procedural assessment of the peripheral perfusion. In patients without PAD, the time to peak flow (tPF) did not differ before (6.45 ± 5.24 s) and after (6.45 ± 5.91 s) TAVI (p = 1.000). In PAD patients, however, the tPF was significantly shortened following TAVI (9.51 ± 9.45 s vs. 8.33 ± 8.16 s, p < 0.001), thereby reflecting an improvement in peripheral blood flow. The resting arterial blood flow before and after TAVI showed the highest level at the beginning (0 s) and constantly decreased afterwards. No improvement in the peak flow was achieved. In PAD patients, TAVI led to improved peripheral blood flow as reflected by shortened time to peak flow measurements. • Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is highly prevalent in TAVI candidates. • TAVI induces an improvement in peripheral blood flow. • TAVI results in significantly shortened time to peak flow in patients with PAD. • Peak flow was not altered by TAVI procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Changes in posture of the lower extremities induce changes in skin blood flow, known as veno-arteriolar response (VAR). We investigated the relationship between ankle brachial index (ABI) and VAR in patients (ABI&#60;0.9) with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and age-matched normal controls (ABI>1). We measured ankle pressure, ABI at rest, and post-exercise ABI. Using laser Doppler flowmetry, skin blood flow was measured with the lower extremity in extended and flexed positions and the fractional change (extended-flexed/extended) in blood flow (VAR) was calculated. With external pressure applied serially to the lower extremity in the extended position using a sphygmomanometer, the pressure (PVAR) at which the VAR was similar to that in the flexed position was recorded. Patients and controls did not differ by age or comorbidity, except higher cigarette smoking in patients (95.8% vs. 4.3%, p=0.001). VAR and PVAR were significantly lower in patients than controls (0.42±0.16 vs. 0.65±0.11 flux/min, p=0.001 and 29±8 vs. 48±9 mm Hg, p=0.001, respectively). There was significant correlation between ABI-post and VAR (r=0.6, p=0.01) and between the VAR and PVAR (r=0.8, p=0.001). VAR&#60;0.3 flux/min was 100% sensitive, 80% specific, and area under curve of 0.88, p=0.001 for detecting PAD as defined by ABI&#60;0.9. Similarly, PVAR of 22 mm Hg was 100% sensitive, 85% specific, and area under curve of 0.94, p=0.001 for detecting PAD. Skin blood flow by this method correlates with the presence and severity of an abnormal ABI. This may offer a method of monitoring the effect of therapy and regression of peripheral atherosclerosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]