Projection selection and rapid atrial pacing improves early outcomes after self-expanding transcatheter aortic valves

Because of the potential need for permanent pacemaker implantation, patients are frequently monitored for days after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), particularly when using self-expanding valves. We sought to determine whether the appearance and management of conduction disturbances after TAVI can be improved by combining the cusp overlap projection (COP) and a rapid atrial pacing (RAP) protocol to detect the need for pacemaker implantation.

We consecutively studied a total of 273 patients who underwent TAVI with self-expanding valves from 2018 through 2022 (134 undergoing standard implantations and 139 COP + RAP). Assessment included the 90-day follow-up.

Complete heart block was reported in 25.4% and 14.4% in the standard-of-care and COP + RAP group, with a marked decrease in transient atrioventricular block (12.8% vs 2.9%, respectively; P = .007). The absence of the Wenckebach phenomenon during RAP had a negative predictive value of 97% (95%CI, 91-99) for pacemaker implantation at the follow-up, which significantly decreased the need for 24-hour temporary pacemaker monitoring in the COP + RAP group (91.8% vs 28.1%; P < .0001) and the median [IQR] length of stay (5.0 [4-8] days vs 2.0 [1-4] days; P < .0001). At the 90-day follow-up, COP + RAP reduced pacemaker implantation (OR, 0.48; 95%CI, 0.24-0.92; P = .031), as well as the risk of infection-related readmissions significantly (OR, 0.35; 95%CI, 0.12-0.89; P = .036).

The combination of COP + RAP during self-expanding TAVI improves postoperative screening for conduction disturbances, thus reducing the need for cardiac rhythm monitoring, and the length stay. The COP + RAP strategy improves the short-term clinical outcomes of self-expanding TAVI due to fewer infection-related readmissions.