One-Year Follow-Up of Conduction Abnormalities After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation With the SAPIEN 3 Valve

Association Between Left Ventricular Apical-to-Basal Strain Ratio and Conduction Disorders after Aortic Valve Replacement

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether left ventricular apical-to-basal longitudinal strain differences, representing advanced basal interstitial fibrosis, are associated with conduction disorders after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

METHODS

Patients with aortic stenosis undergoing AVR were included. The apical-to-basal strain ratio was calculated by dividing the average strain of the apical segments by the average strain of the basal segments. Values >1.9 were considered abnormal, as previously described. All patients were followed up for the occurrence of complete left or right bundle branch block or permanent pacemaker implantation within 2 years after AVR. Subgroup analysis was performed in patients undergoing transcatheter AVR.

RESULTS

Two hundred seventy-four patients were included (median age of 74 years [interquartile range, 65, 80], 46.4% male). During a median follow-up of 12.2 months (interquartile range, 0.2, 24.3), 74 patients (27%) developed complete bundle branch block or were implanted with a permanent pacemaker. These patients more often had an abnormal apical-to-basal strain ratio. Cumulative event-free survival analysis showed worse outcome in patients with an abnormal apical-to-basal strain ratio (log rank χ2 = 7.258, P = .007). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, an abnormal apical-to-basal strain ratio was the only independent factor associated with the occurrence of complete bundle branch block or permanent pacemaker implantation after adjusting for other factors previously shown to be associated with conduction disorders after AVR. Subgroup analysis confirmed the independent association of an abnormal apical-to-basal strain ratio with conduction disorders after transcatheter AVR.

CONCLUSION

The apical-to-basal strain ratio is independently associated with conduction disorders after AVR and could guide risk stratification in patients potentially at risk for pacemaker implantation.

Two-Year Outcomes of Valve-in-Valve Using New-Generation Transcatheter Devices Compared With Redo-SAVR

Few studies have compared the clinical outcomes between valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV-TAVR) with new-generation valves and re-operative surgical aortic valve replacement (Redo-SAVR). We compared the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent ViV-TAVR with those of patients who underwent Redo-SAVR at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center between 2015 and 2021. New-generation valves were used for ViV-TAVR. A propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis was performed to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics. The primary end point was all-cause mortality at 30 days and 2 years. In-hospital procedural and clinical outcomes were also compared between the groups. A total of 256 patients (140 who underwent ViV-TAVR and 116 who underwent Redo-SAVR) were eligible for PSM. In the unmatched cohort, patients in the ViV-TAVR group were older and had more co-morbidities than those in the Redo-SAVR group. After PSM, there were no significant differences in all-cause death between the ViV-TAVR and Redo-SAVR groups at 30 days (3.9% vs 2.6%, p = 0.65) or 2 years (6.5% vs 7.8%, p = 0.75). The incidences of stroke and heart failure rehospitalization were similar at 30 days and 2 years. The cumulative complication rates during hospitalization were significantly lower in the ViV-TAVR group than in the Redo-SAVR group (11.7% vs 28.6% p = 0.015). The long-term outcomes of ViV-TAVR using new-generation valves were similar to those of Redo-SAVR, although ViV-TAVR was associated with lower rates of in-hospital complications.

Sex differences in permanent pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There is limited evidence on the effect of sex on permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The primary objective of this meta-analysis was to determine the role of sex among patients requiring PPMI post-TAVR.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using the SCOPUS, MEDLINE, and CINAHL databases for studies published until October 2022. Eligible studies included published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and Observational Cohort Studies (OCS) articles that reported PPMI as an outcome of pacemaker status following TAVR. This study was performed per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines. Publication bias was estimated using a Funnel plot and Egger's test. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. The primary endpoint was the sex difference in PPMI after TAVR, with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) extracted.

RESULTS

Data was obtained from 63 studies, and a total of 79,655 patients were included. The cumulative PPMI rate was 15.5% (95% CI, 13.6%-17.7%). The pooled analysis revealed that while there were more females than males undergoing TAVR (51.6%, 95% CI 50.4%-52.8%), males have a 14.5% higher risk for post-TAVR PPMI than females (OR 1.145, 95% CI 1.047-1.253, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Males are more likely to experience PPMI after TAVR than females. Further research needs to be done to better explain these observed differences in outcomes.

The Role of ECG Strain Pattern in Prognosis after TAVI: A Sub-Analysis of the DIRECT Trial

BACKGROUND

The presence of an electrocardiographic (ECG) strain pattern-among other ECG features-has been shown to be predictive of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in asymptomatic patients with aortic stenosis. However, data evaluating its impact on symptomatic patients undergoing TAVI are scarce. Therefore, we tried to investigate the prognostic impact of baseline ECG strain pattern on clinical outcomes after TAVI.

METHODS

A sub-group of patients of the randomized DIRECT (Pre-dilatation in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Trial) trial with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI with a self-expanding valve in one single center were consecutively enrolled. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the presence of ECG strain. Left ventricular strain was defined as the presence of ≥1 mm convex ST-segment depression with asymmetrical T-wave inversion in leads V5 to V6 on the baseline 12-lead ECG. Patients were excluded if they had paced rhythm or left bundle branch block at baseline. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were generated to assess the impact on outcomes. The primary clinical endpoint was all-cause mortality at 1 year after TAVI.

RESULTS

Of the 119 patients screened, 5 patients were excluded due to left bundle branch block. Among the 114 included patients (mean age: 80.8 ± 7), 37 patients (32.5%) had strain pattern on pre-TAVI ECG, while 77 patients (67.5%) did not exhibit an ECG strain pattern. No differences in baseline characteristics were found between the two groups. At 1 year, seven patients reached the primary clinical endpoint, with patients in the strain group demonstrating significantly higher mortality in Kaplan-Meier plots compared to patients without left ventricular strain (five vs. two, log-rank p = 0.022). There was no difference between the strain and no strain group regarding the performance of pre-dilatation (21 vs. 33, chi-square p = 0.164). In the multivariate analysis, left ventricular strain was found to be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality after TAVI [Exp(B): 12.2, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI): 1.4-101.9].

CONCLUSION

Left ventricular ECG strain is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality after TAVI. Thus, baseline ECG characteristics may aid in risk-stratifying patients scheduled for TAVI.

Predicting Permanent Pacemaker Implantation following Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Contemporary Meta-Analysis of 981,168 patients

Background

Heart block requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation is a relatively frequent complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Objective

The purpose of this study was to perform a contemporary meta-analysis to provide an updated assessment of clinically useful predictors of PPM implantation post-TAVR.

Methods

Medline and EMBASE searches were performed to include all studies reporting PPM post-TAVR between 2015 and 2020. Pertinent data were extracted from the studies for further analysis. RevMan was used to create forest plots and calculate risk ratios (RRs).

Results

We evaluated 41 variables from 239 studies with a total of 981,168 patients. From this cohort, 17.4% received a PPM following TAVR. Strong predictors for PPM implant were right bundle branch block (RBBB) (RR 3.12; P <.001) and bifascicular block (RR 2.40; P = .002). Intermediate factors were chronic kidney disease (CKD) (RR 1.53; P <.0001) and first-degree atrioventricular block (FDAVB) (RR 1.44; P <.001). Weak factors (RR 1–1.50; P <.05) were male gender, age ≥80 years, body mass index ≥25, diabetes mellitus (DM), atrial fibrillation (AF), and left anterior fascicular block (LAFB). These factors along with increased left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) area (>435 mm²) and/or aortic annulus diameter (>24.4 mm) were incorporated to propose a new scoring system to stratify patients into high- and low-risk groups.

Conclusion

Male gender, age ≥80 years, FDAVB, RBBB, AF, DM, CKD, Medtronic CoreValve, transfemoral TAVR, increased LVOT, and aortic annulus diameter were significant predictors of post-TAVR PPM implantation. Preprocedural assessment should consider these factors to guide clinical decision-making before TAVR. Validation of our scoring system is warranted.

Predictors of Permanent Pacemaker Implantation in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

As transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) technology expands to healthy and lower‐risk populations, the burden and predictors of procedure‐related complications including the need for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation needs to be identified.

Methods and Results

Digital databases were systematically searched to identify studies reporting the incidence of PPM implantation after TAVR. A random‐ and fixed‐effects model was used to calculate unadjusted odds ratios (OR) for all predictors. A total of 78 studies, recruiting 31 261 patients were included in the final analysis. Overall, 6212 patients required a PPM, with a mean of 18.9% PPM per study and net rate ranging from 0.16% to 51%. The pooled estimates on a random‐effects model indicated significantly higher odds of post‐TAVR PPM implantation for men (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.04–1.28); for patients with baseline mobitz type‐1 second‐degree atrioventricular block (OR, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.64–5.93), left anterior hemiblock (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.09–1.86), bifascicular block (OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.52–4.42), right bundle‐branch block (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 2.17–2.83), and for periprocedural atriorventricular block (OR, 4.17; 95% CI, 2.69–6.46). The mechanically expandable valves had 1.44 (95% CI, 1.18–1.76), while self‐expandable valves had 1.93 (95% CI, 1.42–2.63) fold higher odds of PPM requirement compared with self‐expandable and balloon‐expandable valves, respectively.

Conclusions

Male sex, baseline atrioventricular conduction delays, intraprocedural atrioventricular block, and use of mechanically expandable and self‐expanding prosthesis served as positive predictors of PPM implantation in patients undergoing TAVR.

Impact of Bundle Branch Block on Permanent Pacemaker Implantation after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Meta-Analysis

Data regarding the impact of infra-Hisian conduction disturbances leading to permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remain limited. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of right and/or left bundle branch block (RBBB/LBBB) on post-TAVI PPI. We performed a systematic literature review to identify studies reporting on RBBB and/or LBBB status and post-TAVI PPI. Study design, patient characteristics, and the presence of branch block were analyzed. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CI were extracted. The final analysis included 36 studies, reporting about 55,851 patients. Data on LBBB were extracted from 33 studies. Among 51,026 patients included, 5503 showed pre-implant LBBB (11.9% (10.4%–13.8%)). The influence of LBBB on post-TAVI PPI was not significant OR 1.1474 (0.9025; 1.4588), p = 0.2618. Data on RBBB were extracted from 28 studies. Among 46,663 patients included, 31,603 showed pre-implant RBBB (9.2% (7.3%–11.6%)). The influence of RBBB on post-TAVI PPI was significant OR 4.8581 (4.1571; 5.6775), p < 0.0001. From this meta-analysis, the presence of RBBB increased the risk for post-TAVI PPI, independent of age or LVEF, while this finding was not confirmed for patients experimenting with LBBB. This result emphasizes the need for pre-operative evaluation strategies in patient selection for TAVI.

Predictors of Early Stroke or Death in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

While postoperative stroke is a known complication of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), predictors of early stroke occurrence have not been specifically reviewed. The objective of this study was to estimate the predictors and incidence of stroke during the first 30 days post-TAVI.

METHODS

A cohort of 506 consecutive patients having undergone TAVI between January 2017 and June 2019 was extracted from a prospective database. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative characteristics were analyzed by univariate analysis followed by logistic regression to find predictors of the occurrence of stroke or death within the first 30 days after the procedure.

RESULTS

Incidence of stroke within 30 days post-TAVI was 4.9%, [CI 95% 3.3-7.2], i.e., 25 strokes. Four out of the 25 patients (16%) with a stroke died within 30 days post-TAVI. After logistic regression analysis, the predictors of early stroke related to TAVI were: CHA2Ds2VASc score ≥ 5 (odds ratio [OR] 2.62; 95% CI: 1.06-6.49; p = .037), supra-aortic access vs. femoral access (OR: 9.00, 95%CI: 2.95-27.44; p = .001) and introduction post-TAVI of a single vs. two or three antithrombotic agents (OR: 5.13; CI 95%: 1.99 to 13.19; p = .001). Over the 30-day period, bleeding occurred in 28 patients (5.5%), in 25 of whom, it was associated with femoral or iliac artery access injury. Anti-thrombotic regimen was not associated with bleeding; two patients out of 48 (4.1%) bled with a single anti-thrombotic regimen vs. 26 patients out of 458 (5.6%) with a dual or triple anti-thrombotic regimen (p = 0.94). The overall 30-day mortality rate was 3.9%, [95% CI 2.5-6.0]. Patients with a single post-TAVI antithrombotic agent (OR: 44.07 [CI 95% 13.45-144.39]; p < .0001) and patients with previous coronary artery bypass surgery or coronary artery stenting (OR: 6.16, [CI 95% 1.99-21.29]; p = .002) were at significantly higher risk of death within the 30-day period.

CONCLUSION

In this large-scale single-center retrospective study, a single post-TAVI antithrombotic regimen independently predicted occurrence of early stroke or death. Dual or triple antithrombotic regimen was not associated with a higher risk of bleeding and should be considered as an option in patients undergoing TAVI.

One-year pacing dependency after pacemaker implantation in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

Atrioventricular conductions disturbances, requiring permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI), represent a potential complication after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), However, little is known about the pacemaker dependency after PPI in this patient setting. This systematic review analyses the incidence of PPI, the short-term (1-year) pacing dependency, and predictors for such a state after TAVI.

Methods

We performed a systematic search in PUBMED, EMBASE, and MEDLINE to identify potentially relevant literature investigating PPI requirement and dependency after TAVI. Study data, patients, and procedural characteristics were extracted. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were extracted.

Results

Data from 23 studies were obtained that included 18,610 patients. The crude incidence of PPI after TAVI was 17% (range, 8.8%-32%). PPI occurred at a median time of 3.2 days (range, 0-30 days). Pacing dependency at 1-year was 47.5% (range, 7%-89%). Self-expandable prosthesis (pooled OR was 2.14 [1.15-3.96]) and baseline right bundle branch block (pooled OR was 2.01 [1.06-3.83]) showed 2-fold greater risk to maintain PPI dependency at 1 year after TAVI.

Conclusions

Although PPI represents a rather frequent event after TAVI, conduction disorders have a temporary nature in almost 50% of the cases with recovery and stabilization after discharge. Preoperative conduction abnormality and type of TAVI are associated with higher PPI dependency at short term.

Do Women Require Less Permanent Pacemaker After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation? A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

Background

Limited clinical evidence and literature are available about the potential impact of sex on permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aim of this work was to evaluate the relationship between sexes and atrioventricular conduction disturbances requiring PPI after TAVI.

Methods and Results

Data were obtained from 46 studies from PubMed reporting information about the impact of patient sex on PPI after TAVI. Total proportions with 95% Cls were reported. Funnel plot and Egger test were used for estimation of publication bias. The primary end point was 30‐day or in‐hospital PPI after TAVI, with odds ratios and 95% CIs extracted. A total of 70 313 patients were included, with a cumulative proportion of 51.5% of women (35 691 patients; 95% CI, 50.2–52.7). The proportion of women undergoing TAVI dropped significantly over time (P<0.0001). The cumulative PPI rate was 15.6% (95% CI, 13.3–18.3). The cumulative rate of PPI in women was 14.9% (95% CI, 12.6–17.6), lower than in men (16.6%; 95% CI, 14.2–19.4). The risk for post‐TAVI PPI was lower in women (odds ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84–0.96 [P=0.0022]). By meta‐regression analysis, age (P=0.874) and ventricular function (P=0.302) were not significantly associated with PPI among the sexes. Balloon‐expandable TAVI significantly decrease the advantage of women for PPI, approaching the same rate as in men (P=0.0061).

Conclusions

Female sex is associated with a reduced rate of PPI after TAVI, without influence of age or ventricular function. Balloon‐expandable devices attenuate this advantage in favor of women. Additional investigations are warranted to elucidate sex‐based differences in developing conduction disturbances after TAVI.

Recovery of conduction disorders after sutureless aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVES

Conduction disorders and the need for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation after surgical aortic valve replacement are well-recognized complications. However, in the case of sutureless valve prostheses, it remains unknown whether pacemaker (PM) dependency and conduction disturbances resolve over time. Our aim was to evaluate whether conduction disorders after Perceval sutureless valve implantation recover during follow-up.

METHODS

Patients undergoing isolated surgical aortic valve replacement or concomitant aortic valve replacement with coronary artery bypass surgery using the Perceval sutureless valve, between January 2010 and July 2018, were included. Postoperative electrocardiogram findings were analysed to determine the incidence of new-onset left bundle branch blocks (LBBBs) and the requirement for PPM implantation. During a postoperative period of 6-18 months, electrocardiogram findings during PM checks were analysed to determine PM dependency and LBBB persistence.

RESULTS

Out of 184 patients who received a Perceval prosthesis during the study period, 39 (21.2%) patients developed new-onset LBBB and 10 patients (5.4%) received a PPM postoperatively. The occurrence of conduction disorders was not associated with valve size. Follow-up was completed in 176 (95.7%) patients. In patients with a new-onset LBBB, 35.9% recovered during follow-up (P = 0.001). Seven out of 10 (70%) patients remained PM dependent.

CONCLUSIONS

After Perceval aortic valve implantation, new-onset LBBB recovers in more than one-third of patients during follow-up. In patients who needed a postoperative PPM, the majority remained PM dependent.

Predictors of pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation according to kind of prosthesis and risk profile: a systematic review and contemporary meta-analysis

AIMS

Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) may be required after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Evidence on PPI prediction has largely been gathered from high-risk patients receiving first-generation valve implants. We undertook a meta-analysis of the existing literature to examine the incidence and predictors of PPI after TAVI according to generation of valve, valve type, and surgical risk.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We made a systematic literature search for studies with ≥100 patients reporting the incidence and adjusted predictors of PPI after TAVI. Subgroup analyses examined these features according to generation of valve, specific valve type, and surgical risk. We obtained data from 43 studies, encompassing 29 113 patients. Permanent pacemaker implantation rates ranged from 6.7% to 39.2% in individual studies with a pooled incidence of 19% (95% CI 16-21). Independent predictors for PPI were age [odds ratio (OR) 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.09], left bundle branch block (LBBB) (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.12-1.77), right bundle branch block (RBBB) (OR 4.15, 95% CI 3.23-4.88), implantation depth (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.11-1.26), and self-expanding valve prosthesis (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.39-4.59). Among subgroups analysed according to valve type, valve generation and surgical risk, independent predictors were RBBB, self-expanding valve type, first-degree atrioventricular block, and implantation depth.

CONCLUSIONS

The principle independent predictors for PPI following TAVI are age, RBBB, LBBB, self-expanding valve type, and valve implantation depth. These characteristics should be taken into account in pre-procedural assessment to reduce PPI rates. PROSPERO ID CRD42020164043.

Intraprocedural dynamics of cardiac conduction during transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Assessment by simultaneous electrophysiological testing

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis and high to intermediate surgical risk. However, the proximity of the conduction system to the prosthesis landing zone bears the risk of atrioventricular conduction disorders. The underlying pathophysiology is not fully understood.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to characterize the impact of TAVI on the conduction system as assessed by simultaneous electrophysiological testing.

METHODS

AH and HV intervals and QRS duration were measured using a quadripolar His catheter and surface electrocardiogram in 108 patients at baseline (BL), after balloon predilation (timepoint 1 [T1]), after implantation of the valve prosthesis (T2), and after postdilation, if deemed necessary (T3).

RESULTS

Between BL and T2, significant increases of HV interval and QRS duration were observed, with a mean delta of +12.4 ms and +32.7 ms, respectively. Both balloon predilation and valve implantation had an impact on infranodal conduction. No significant increase of AH intervals was documented. The increase of QRS duration led to left bundle branch block (LBBB) in 57 patients (52.8%). Implantation depth positively correlated with QRS prolongation (ρ = 0.21, P = .042) but not with changes of AH or HV interval (ρ = -0.03, P = .762; and ρ = 0.15, P = .130, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Electrophysiological testing during TAVI shows impairment of infranodal atrioventricular conduction by balloon predilation and valve implantation. This impairment is positively correlated with valve implantation depth and results in an increase of QRS duration with mainly LBBB pattern on surface electrocardiogram.