The deleterious effect of intracardiac pacing leads on right ventricular function

The aim of this study was to evaluate the progression of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in patients with pacemaker leads across the tricuspid valve and assess the clinical effect on right ventricular (RV) function.

Patients who had undergone permanent pacemaker implantation at our institution over an 8-year period were identified. Those who had an echo (for any indication) pre- and postdevice implantation were included in this study, and their data assessed. Clinical information was obtained from their medical records. A total of 65 patients (mean age 70 ± 13 years, 31 (48%) males, and 34 (52%) females) were enrolled in the study.

The median interval of echo after implantation was 12 (12 to 24) months. Before implantation, 29 patients had TR, which increased to 51 (78%) during follow up, indicating that 22 patients developed new TR. Of those with preexisting TR, the grade of TR had worsened by at least one grade in 17 patients. RV function as measured by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) had decreased from 1.87 ± 0.44 to 1.68 ± 0.42 (p = 0.002). Eighteen patients had developed signs of right heart failure (either breathlessness with raised jugular venous pressure or pedal edema or both), of which 13 had only new pedal edema.

There is a definite progression of TR in patients with a pacing lead across the tricuspid valve (TV) associated with an increase in the incidence of right heart failure. Patients with a pacing lead across the TV should be followed closely for signs of right heart failure.