Novel predictors of permanent pacemaker implantation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Abstract

BACKGROUND Conduction and rhythm abnormalities requiring permanent pacemakers (PPM) are short-term complications following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and their clinical outcomes remain conflicting. Potential novel predictors of post-TAVR PPM, like QRS duration, QTc prolongation, and supraventricular arrhythmias, have been poorly studied. AIM To evaluate the effects of baseline nonspecific interventricular conduction delay and supraventricular arrhythmia on post-TAVR PPM requirement and determine the impact of PPM implantation on clinical outcomes. METHODS A retrospective cohort study that identified patients with TAVR between January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2019. The group was dichotomized into those with post-TAVR PPM and those without PPM. Both groups were followed for one year. RESULTS Out of the 357 patients that met inclusion criteria, the mean age was 80 years, 188 (52.7%) were male, and 57 (16%) had a PPM implantation. Baseline demographics, valve type, and cardiovascular risk factors were similar except for type II diabetes mellitus (DM), which was more prevalent in the PPM cohort (59.6% vs 40.7%; P = 0.009). The PPM cohort had a significantly higher rate of pre-procedure right bundle branch block, prolonged QRS > 120 ms, prolonged QTc > 470 ms, and supraventricular arrhythmias. There was a consistently significant increase in the odds ratio (OR) of PPM implantation for every 20 ms increase in the QRS duration above 100 ms: QRS 101-120 [OR: 2.44; confidence intervals (CI): 1.14-5.25; P = 0.022], QRS 121-140 (OR: 3.25; CI: 1.32-7.98; P = 0.010), QRS 141-160 (OR: 6.98; CI: 3.10-15.61; P < 0.001). After model adjustment for baseline risk factors, the OR remained significant for type II DM (aOR: 2.16; CI: 1.18-3.94; P = 0.012), QRS > 120 (aOR: 2.18; CI: 1.02-4.66; P = 0.045) and marginally significant for supraventricular arrhythmias (aOR: 1.82; CI: 0.97-3.42; P = 0.062). The PPM cohort had a higher adjusted OR of heart failure (HF) hospitalization (aOR: 2.2; CI: 1.1-4.3; P = 0.022) and nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) (aOR: 3.9; CI: 1.1-14; P = 0.031) without any difference in mortality (aOR: 1.1; CI: 0.5-2.7; P = 0.796) at one year. CONCLUSION Pre-TAVR type II DM and QRS duration > 120, regardless of the presence of bundle branch blocks, are predictors of post-TAVR PPM. At 1-year post-TAVR, patients with PPM have higher odds of HF hospitalization and MI.

Risk of permanent pacemaker implantation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Which factors are most relevant?

“…Unlike in general population, where the harmful effects of PPM are well established, the impact of PPM in TAVR patients is less studied and conflicting[ 19 - 22 ]. This study by Nwaedozie et al [ 16 ] is one of the few which highlights the negative impact of PPM post TAVR. They found higher odds of heart failure hospitalizations and non-fatal myocardial infarction amongst the PPM cohort at 1 year.…”

“…The most recent evidence on the predictors of PPM following TAVR comes from the study by Nwaedozie et al [ 16 ] in which they have explored various risk factors (particularly focusing on electrophysiological variables) for PPM in patients undergoing TAVR at their centre over the last decade. In this retrospective study they conclude that the presence of DM and prolonged baseline QRS > 120 ms regardless of the type of conduction block were the strongest predictors on logistic regression model for need for PPM post-TAVR.…”