Left ventricular reverse remodeling after transcatheter aortic valve implantation complicated by paroxysmal complete...

An 86-year-old man with unremarkable clinical history complaining of asthenia and dyspnea was diagnosed with low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis [LFLG-AS; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 40% and transaortic mean gradient 37 mmHg, increasing to 52% and 55 mmHg after dobutamine infusion]. The patient underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI; Edwards CENTERA™ 29, Irvine, CA, USA). The procedure and the following hospital stay were free from complications, with no changes on electrocardiography (ECG). Six months later, few syncopal episodes occurred. No signs of orthostatic hypotension or neurologic disorders were present. Echocardiography showed normal functioning of the prosthetic valve and recovery of LV systolic function (LVEF 55%). Baseline ECG and 24-h Holter monitoring were unremarkable. An implantable loop recorder (ILR) was implanted to verify the occurrence of paroxysmal conduction disturbances. One month later, during a syncopal episode, ILR interrogation showed a complete atrioventricular (AV) block. Therefore, a dual chamber, single lead pacemaker was implanted. We are providing the first report of complete AV block occurring months after TAVI, possibly because of reverse LV remodeling following TAVI, with ensuing relative oversizing of the prosthetic valve. This possibility should be considered in patients with syncope not otherwise explained, and previous TAVI, especially in cases of LFLG-AS. <Learning objective: Complete atrioventricular block can occur even months after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), possibly because of left ventricular reverse remodeling following valve replacement, with ensuing relative valve oversizing. This possibility should be considered in patients with syncope not otherwise explained, and previous TAVI, especially in cases of low flow low gradient aortic stenosis. Loop recorder implantation should be considered in this group of patients.>.