Impact of left bundle branch block or permanent pacemaker after transcatheter aortic valve replacement on mid-term left ventricular ejection fraction

Abstract

Background: Conduction disturbances have uncertain implications for long-term left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We aimed to examine LVEF changes in patients up to two years post-TAVR.

Methods: We examined patients who underwent TAVR between 2012 and 2020 and underwent echocardiography follow-up. Patients were categorized into four groups: 1) Those without a permanent pacemaker (PPM) or left bundle branch block (LBBB) pre- or post-TAVR; 2) Patients with pre- and post-TAVR LBBB; 3) Individuals with preexisting PPM; and 4) Patients requiring new PPM after TAVR. LVEF was assessed at the outset of TAVR, at 30 days, 1-year, and 2-years post-TAVR.

Results: The study included 730 patients: 421 (57.6 %) without conduction abnormalities, 151 (20.7 %) with post-TAVR LBBB (48 pre-existing, 103 new-onset), 63 (8.6 %) with pre-existing PPM, and 95 (13.1 %) requiring new PPM. At discharge, patients without conduction abnormalities exhibited the highest LVEF (57.4 ± 11.5 %), whereas those with pre-existing PPM had the lowest (48.1 ± 15.5 %). Over two years, LVEF remained constant in patients without conduction issues and in those with pre-existing PPM. However, patients with new LBBB experienced a 6.3 % decrease in LVEF, and those requiring new PPM showed a 4.1 % reduction.

Conclusion: New conduction abnormalities, such as LBBB or the need for PPM, induce a decline in LVEF post-TAVR. It is imperative to focus on the long-term monitoring of left ventricular function in patients experiencing new conduction disturbances post-TAVR.

Keywords: Left bundle branch block; Left ventricular ejection fraction; Pacemaker; Transcatheter aortic valve replacement.