Justus-Liebig-University Giessen Researcher Advances Knowledge in Cardiology (Epicardial adipose tissue and muscle distribution affect outcomes in very old patients after transcatheter aortic valve replacement).

A recent report discusses research conducted at Justus-Liebig-University Giessen in Germany on the relevance of body composition and blood markers for long-term outcomes in very old patients after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The study analyzed 403 patients and found that increased epicardial or visceral fat area, as well as reduced psoas muscle area, were independent predictors of long-term mortality. Additionally, higher levels of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) were associated with increased mortality. The research concludes that morbidly visceral and epicardial fat accumulation, muscle area reduction, and GDF-15 increase are strong predictors of adverse outcomes in very old patients post-TAVR. [Extracted from the article]