Which clinical and exercise-test measures predict better fitness after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

Determining Clinical and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Parameters That Predict Improvement in Functional Capacity and Complications After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Hospital Clinic of Barcelona · NCT06833762

This study tries to see if clinical measures and cardiopulmonary exercise testing can predict which adults with severe aortic stenosis will have improved physical fitness after transfemoral TAVI.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment161 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorHospital Clinic of Barcelona (other)
Locations1 site (Barcelona)
Trial IDNCT06833762 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is an observational cohort study enrolling 161 adults with severe aortic stenosis scheduled for transfemoral TAVI to characterize mid-term changes in exercise tolerance and identify predictors of improvement. Participants undergo a standardized incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and clinical evaluation within two weeks before TAVI and again 4–6 weeks after the procedure. A positive functional response is predefined as an increase in VO2 peak >2.5 ml/kg/min or >10% from baseline. The study will analyze clinical measures (symptoms, frailty, quality of life) and CPET-derived parameters to determine which factors are associated with meaningful post-TAVI improvement.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) with severe aortic stenosis approved for transfemoral TAVI who can consent and safely perform CPET are eligible.

Not a fit: Patients with very severe aortic stenosis (valve area ≤0.6 cm², mean gradient ≥60 mmHg or Vmax >5 m/s), prior syncope, exercise-induced arrhythmias, known dynamic LVOT obstruction, unresolved coronary disease needing PCI, inability to perform exercise testing, non-elective procedures, or valve-in-valve procedures are excluded and unlikely to benefit from the study findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinicians predict who is likely to experience meaningful gains in exercise capacity after TAVI and guide patient counseling and selection.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies of functional outcomes after TAVI have produced mixed results, and using CPET to predict functional benefit is relatively novel with limited prior evidence of consistent success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* All those patients ≥ 18 years of age with severe aortic stenosis approved for transfemoral TAVI.

Both sexes, male and female will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

Very severe aortic stenosis, defined as a valve area of ≤0.6 cm2

, mean gradient ≥60 mmHg or Vmax \>5 m/s

* Previous syncope
* Proven exercise-induced arrhythmias
* Previously known dynamic left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction, defined as LVOT gradient of ≥ 30 mmHg by echocardiography
* Concomitant coronary artery disease pending percutaneous coronary intervention
* Inability to consent
* Physical limitation to perform an exercise test
* Non-elective procedure
* Valve-in-valve procedure

Where this trial is running

Barcelona

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Aortic Stenosis Disease

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.