Aims: This analysis aimed to evaluate the incidence and predictors of the need for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation following implantation of the repositionable and fully retrievable LOTUS Aortic Valve Replacement System.
Methods and results: The prospective, single-arm, multicentre REPRISE II study with extended cohort enrolled 250 symptomatic, high surgical risk patients with severe aortic stenosis for transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with a 23 mm or 27 mm LOTUS valve. Echocardiography, computed tomography, and electrocardiography data were evaluated by independent core labs. Post TAVI, 32.0% (72/225) of pacemaker-naïve patients underwent new PPM implantation at 30 days. Most (59/72, 82%) patients were implanted for third-degree atrioventricular block, and >10% overstretch of the LVOT by area was observed in 59.7% (43/72) of PPM patients. Significant independent predictors of PPM at 30 days included baseline RBBB (odds ratio [OR] 12.7, 95% CI: 4.5, 36.2; p<0.001) and LVOT overstretch >10% (OR 3.4, 95% CI: 1.7, 6.7; p<0.001). There was a trend towards a lower 30-day PPM rate in patients with a shallower (≤5 mm) implant depth (23.9% ≤5 mm vs. 36.9% >5 mm depth from LCS; p=0.06).
Conclusions: Careful attention to valve sizing and implant depth may help to reduce the rate of PPM with the LOTUS valve.