title: Atrioventricular conduction disturbance characterization in transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the CoreValve prosthesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrioventricular (AV) block is one of the most frequent complications of CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of CoreValve implantation on AV conduction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Electrophysiological study was performed immediately before and after CoreValve implantation in 18 consecutive, permanent pacemaker-free patients. An electrode was placed on the His bundle during valve implantation, and data were continuously recorded during the procedure. With surface ECG, a median (first, third quartile) QRS width of 96 (84, 116) to 150 (121, 164) ms (P=0.001) and PR interval of 180 (159, 216) to 210 (190, 240) ms (P=0.008) were significantly prolonged, and QRS axis was left deviated 30° (-32°, 46°) to -20° (-60°, 2°) (P=0.005). With intracardiac electrograms, the AH (97 [70, 123] to 115 [96, 135] ms, P=0.021) and HV (52 [42, 55] to 60 [50, 70] ms, P=0.002) intervals were increased. At the end of the procedure, we observed significant ECG- or electrophysiological study-persistent conduction disturbances in 14 (78%) patients. Five patients experienced transient changes (2 AV blocks and 3 left bundle branch blocks).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CoreValve implantation worsens AV conduction in most patients, either transiently or permanently. This worsening is the result of direct damage either on the His bundle or on the AV node.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rubín
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Avanzas
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: del Valle
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Renilla
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ríos
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Calvo
authors.forename: Iñigo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lozano
authors.forename: Ignasi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Anguera
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Díaz-Molina
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cequier
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morís de la Tassa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D054537:Atrioventricular Block / Q000209:etiology*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male