Immediate Post-Procedural 12-Lead Electrocardiography as Predictor of Late Conduction Defects After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2018 Aug 13;11(15):1509-1518. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2018.04.011.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to use a 12-lead electrocardiogram obtained immediately post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to identify predictors of late high-degree conduction defect (HD-CD) within 30 days after TAVR.

Background: There are limited data on risk factors for the development of late HD-CD and the need to retain the temporary pacemaker after TAVR.

Methods: A single-center study was conducted including 467 consecutive patients, without pre-procedural pacemakers, undergoing TAVR.

Results: Self-expandable, mechanical, or balloon-expandable heart valves were implanted in 328 (70%), 61 (13%), and 78 (17%) patients, respectively. For patients in sinus rhythm without right bundle branch block, late HD-CD developed in 0 of 70 patients (0%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0% to 5.1%) with PR interval <200 ms and QRS interval <120 ms and in 5 of 109 patients (4.6%; 95% CI: 1.5% to 10.4%; all with sufficient escape rhythm) with PR interval <240 ms and QRS interval <150 ms. Late HD-CD developed in 14 of 101 patients (13.9%; 95% CI: 7.8% to 22.2%; 6 with insufficient escape rhythm [5.9%; 95% CI: 2.2% to 12.5%]) with PR interval ≥240 ms or QRS interval ≥150 ms. Furthermore, late HD-CD developed in 3 of 49 patients (6.1%; 95% CI: 1.3% to 16.9%; all with sufficient escape rhythm) and in 3 of 30 patients (10.0%; 95% CI: 2.1% to 26.5%; 2 with insufficient escape rhythm [6.7%; 95% CI: 0.8% to 22.1%]) with atrial fibrillation and no right bundle branch block with QRS interval <140 and ≥140 ms, respectively.

Conclusions: On the basis of immediate post-TAVR 12-lead electrocardiography, removing the temporary pacemaker immediately following TAVR is potentially safe in patients without right bundle branch block who are: 1) in sinus rhythm with PR interval <240 ms and QRS interval <150 ms; or 2) in atrial fibrillation with a QRS interval <140 ms.

Keywords: conduction defect; electrocardiogram; pacemaker; transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / surgery*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / prevention & control
  • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Female
  • Heart Rate
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Registries
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement / adverse effects*
  • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement / instrumentation
  • Treatment Outcome