Heart Rhythm O2 (Jan 2023)

Invasive electrophysiological testing to predict and guide permanent pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A meta-analysis

  • Konstantinos C. Siontis, MD, FHRS,
  • Abdalla Kara Balla, MD,
  • Yong-Mei Cha, MD, FHRS,
  • Thomas Pilgrim, MD,
  • Romy Sweda, MD,
  • Laurent Roten, MD,
  • Tobias Reichlin, MD,
  • Paul A. Friedman, MD, FHRS,
  • Stephan Windecker, MD,
  • George C.M. Siontis, MD, PhD

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 1
pp. 24 – 33

Abstract

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Background: Atrioventricular conduction abnormalities after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are common. The value of electrophysiological study (EPS) for risk stratification of high-grade atrioventricular block (HG-AVB) and guidance of permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation is poorly defined. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify EPS parameters associated with HG-AVB and determine the value of EPS-guided PPM implantation after TAVI. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating the value of EPS parameters for risk stratification of TAVI-related HG-AVB and for guidance of PPM implantation among patients with equivocal PPM indications after TAVI. Results: Eighteen studies (1230 patients) were eligible. In 7 studies, EPS was performed only after TAVI, whereas in 11 studies EPS was performed both before and after TAVI. Overall PPM implantation rate for HG-AVB was 16%. AV conduction intervals prolonged after TAVI, with the AH and HV intervals showing the largest magnitude of changes. Pre-TAVI HV >70 ms and the absolute value of the post-TAVI HV interval were associated with subsequent HG-AVB and PPM implantation with odds ratios of 2.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11–5.81; P = .04) and 1.10 (95% CI 1.03–1.17; P = .02; per 1-ms increase), respectively. In 10 studies, PPM was also implanted due to abnormal EPS findings in patients with equivocal PPM indications post-TAVI (typically new left bundle branch block or transient HG-AVB). Among them, the rate of long-term PPM dependency was 57%. Conclusion: Selective EPS testing may assist in the risk stratification of post-TAVI HG-AVB and in the guidance of PPM implantation, especially in patients with equivocal PPM indications post-TAVI.

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