Frailty in patients undergoing TAVI: how can we measure it?

Futility or lack of improvement in quality of life and survival after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures is a subject of major interest1,2. One reason why patients may not benefit fully from treatment is frailty. Frailty is a relatively common condition among elderly patients undergoing TAVI and is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcome3. Frailty is a multidimensional geriatric syndrome characterised by a decline in overall function and loss of resistance to stressors. It is associated with increased morbidity, intensification of healthcare utilisation, and mortality among older adults4,5. Frail patients are prone to poor outcomes and ...