Introduction Predicting prognosis following aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) remains challenging. Current guidelines recommend that surgery should be offered when ejection fraction (EF) is <50%. We sought to investigate the prognostic significance of EF calculated by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in the long term survival of patients following AVR.

Methods 80 patients (69 ± 11 years old at time of surgery; 55 male) scheduled for AVR underwent CMR assessment. 52 patients had severe AS (area <1cm²), 28 patients had moderate AS (area 1.0–1.5cm²) and other qualifying reasons for AVR. 44 patients had additional coronary artery disease.Patients were categorised into three groups according to EF prior to surgery: Group 1 (EF <50%; n = 26), Group 2 (EF of 50–70%; n = 26) and Group 3 (EF >70%; n = 28). A median 5.0 ± 1.8 years follow-up was completed using the National Strategic Tracing Scheme and hospital notes.

Results Univariate analysis of all cause mortality using the Kaplan-Meier estimator demonstrated significantly higher mortality in patients with Group 1 (EF <50%) compared to those in group 3 (EF >70%; .03).There was no statistical difference between group 2 (EF of 50–70%) and the remaining 2 groups.

• Download figure
• Open in new tab
• Download powerpoint

Abstract 93 Figure 1

Kaplan-Meier survival curve of all cause mortality in Group 1 (EF <50%), Group 2 (EF 50–70%) and Group 3 (EF >70%)

Conclusion Pre-operative EF is a significant predictor of mortality following AVR. Patients with EF <50% have the worst prognosis whereas those with EF >70% have the best prognosis. We aim to incease the sample size to determine whether a progressive decrease in EF per se even when above 50% should initiate consideration for AVR.