Abstract 18627: Monocyte Subsets in Patients With Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis Undergoing TAVI

Introduction: Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) shares profound similarities with atherosclerotic plaque progression, including the presence of macrophages in the valve tissue. Monocytes are the precursor of macrophages and various studies have shown associations of individual monocyte subsets with cardiovascular risk. Therefore, we assessed the hypotheses that monocyte subsets differ in the presence of severe AVS compared to an AVS-free setting and change by intervention of the AVS. Methods: Classical (CD14++CD16-), intermediate (CD14++CD16+) and non-classical (CD14+CD16++) CD86 positive monocyte subsets and monocyte activation (median fluorescent intensity of CD11b) were determined by flow cytometry in peripheral blood from patients with severe AVS (n=32) and matched AVS-free controls (n=28). A follow-up evaluation of monocyte subsets and activation was performed in AVS patients undergoing transcutaneous valve implantation (TAVI) 3 months after the procedure (n=9). Results: There were no significant differenc...