Tricuspid regurgitation burden following transcatheter aortic valve replacement requiring early pacemaker implantation

Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2024 Feb 8;37(2):205-209. doi: 10.1080/08998280.2024.2301901. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Background: Conduction abnormality requiring the implantation of a permanent pacemaker (PPM) is a well-known and clinically important complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, PPM implantation may result in lead-associated tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR). This study sought to determine the incidence and progression of TR following PPM implantation after TAVR.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of all echocardiograms of patients who underwent PPM following TAVR at the Baylor Scott & White hospitals from 2012 to 2021. The primary endpoint was TR progression at 30 days and 1 year. A subanalysis comparing the change in TR progression between small and large TAVR devices was also conducted. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death at 30 days and 1 year.

Results: Out of the 2744 patients who underwent TAVR between April 2012 and August 2021, 177 patients (6.5%) subsequently received a new PPM. There was a statistically significant progression of TR at 1-year follow-up (McNemar's P value = 0.02). TR progression rates were comparable between the small and large valve groups at 1-year follow-up (4% vs 11%, P = 0.09, respectively).

Conclusion: In this single healthcare system study, we demonstrated a significant progression of TR in patients with PPM post TAVR at 1 year.

Keywords: Permanent pacemaker; transcatheter aortic valve replacement; tricuspid regurgitation.