Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Biomarkers of Cardiac Damage and Stress in Aortic Stenosis

Background Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is associated with increased mortality risk and rehospitalization after transcatheter aortic valve replacement among those with severe aortic stenosis. Whether cardiac troponin (cTnT) and NT‐proBNP (N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide) risk stratify patients with aortic stenosis and without LVH is unknown. Methods and Results In a multicenter prospective registry of 923 patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, we included 674 with core‐laboratory‐measured LV mass index, cTnT, and NT‐proBNP. LVH was defined by sex‐specific guideline cut‐offs and elevated biomarker levels were based on age and sex cut‐offs. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards models evaluated associations between LVH and biomarkers and all‐cause death out to 5 years. Elevated cTnT and NT‐proBNP were present in 82% and 86% of patients with moderate/severe LVH, respectively, as compared with 66% and 69% of patients with no/mild LVH, respectively (P