• Clinical and echocardiographic parameters predicting 1- and 2-year mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation 

      Kjønås, Didrik; Schirmer, Henrik; Aakhus, Svend; Eidet, Jo; Malm, Siri; Aaberge, Lars; Busund, Rolf; Røsner, Assami (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2021-12-06)
      <p><i>Background:</i> Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become a standard treatment option for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis. Elderly high-risk patients treated with TAVI have a high residual mortality due to preexisting comorbidities. Knowledge of factors predicting futility after TAVI is sparse and clinical tools to aid the preoperative evaluation are lacking. The aim ...
    • Increased complement factor B and Bb levels are associated with mortality in patients with severe aortic stenosis 

      Shahini, Negar; Ueland, Thor; Auensen, Andreas; Michelsen, Annika; Ludviksen, Judith K; Hussain, Amjad Iqbal; Pettersen, Kjell; Aakhus, Svend; Espeland, Torvald; Lunde, Ida Gjervold; Kirschfink, Michael; Nilsson, Per; Mollnes, Tom Eirik; Gullestad, Lars; Aukrust, Pål; Yndestad, Arne; Louwe, Maria Cornelia (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-09-24)
      Inflammation is involved in initiation and progression of aortic stenosis (AS). However, the role of the complement system, a crucial component of innate immunity in AS, is unclear. We hypothesized that circulating levels of complement factor B (FB), an important component of the alternative pathway, are upregulated and could predict outcome in patients with severe symptomatic AS. Therefore, plasma ...
    • YKL-40 (Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1) Serum Levels in Aortic Stenosis 

      Arain, Fizza Kanwal; Abraityte, Judita Aurelija; Bogdanova, Mariia; Solberg, Ole Geir; Michelsen, Annika; Lekva, Tove; Aakhus, Svend; Holm, Sverre; Halvorsen, Bente; Finsen, Alexandra; Vinge, Leif Erik; Nymo, Ståle Haugset; Espeland, Torvald; Ranheim, Trine; Aukrust, Pål; Vaage, Ingvar Jarle; Auensen, Andreas; Gullestad, Lars; Ueland, Thor (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2020-09-23)
      <p><i>Background:</i> Identification of novel biomarkers could provide prognostic information and improve risk stratification in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). YKL-40 (chitinase-3-like protein 1), a protein involved in atherogenesis, is upregulated in human calcific aortic valves. We hypothesized that circulating YKL-40 would be elevated and associated with the degree of AS severity and outcome ...