Severe conduction defects requiring permanent pacemaker implantation in patients with a new-onset left bundle branch block after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
OBJECTIVE
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is frequently associated with cardiac conduction defects (CCD) requiring permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI). Although new-onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) is often seen, the rate of progression to severe CCD is unclear. We aimed to find clinical and electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters associated with severe CCD requiring PPI in patients with a new-onset LBBB after TAVI and assess its effect on clinical outcome.


RESULTS
All consecutive patients undergoing TAVI who developed a new-onset LBBB were retrospectively analysed. We excluded patients with pre-existing bundle branch block or pacemaker. Patients were divided into two groups: with or without PPI after TAVI. We included 155 patients (50% female, 80 ± 7 years), of which 37 (24%) developed CCD requiring PPI, mainly due to a total atrioventricular block (n = 17; 46%). Cardiac conduction defects requiring PPI were associated with the following pre-existing parameters: atrial fibrillation (AF), the use of digoxin, CoreValve implantation, and left heart axis. Furthermore, it was associated with the following post-procedural parameters: left heart axis, lower mean heart rate, and prolonged PQ and QRS times. During follow-up, patients with PPI showed a lower mortality rate (11 vs. 29%, P = 0.03). In patients without PPI, mortality was lower in those with narrower QRS complex and transient LBBB.


CONCLUSIONS
The severity and persistence of a new-onset LBBB after TAVI is associated with mortality. Cardiac conduction defects requiring PPI are associated with prior AF, the use of digoxin, CoreValve implantation, and a left heart axis. In these patients, PPI portends a better prognosis than no PPI.
V J
VJ
Nijenhuis
V F
VF
Van Dijk
S M
SM
Chaldoupi
J C
JC
Balt
J M
JM
Ten Berg
D000200:Action Potentials; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D004077:Digoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D065467:Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000401:mortality; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D004077:Digoxin
Atrioventricular block; Conduction disturbances; Left bundle branch block; Mortality; Permanent pacemaker implantation; Transcatheter aortic valve implantation