Early conduction disorders following percutaneous aortic valve replacement

Background: Percutaneous aortic valve replacement (PAVR) may be an alternative therapy for patientswith severe aortic stenosis who are denied valve surgery because of age and comorbidity. Data are fewregarding the incidence of early conduction disorders (CD) after PAVR. We examined the incidence andcharacteristics of CD in the immediate postoperative period after PAVR, and the need for permanentpacemaker (PPM) implantation.Methods and Results: Between June 2007 and June 2008 30 patients (mean age = 82.1 ± 8.5 years)underwent PAVR in our institution. The incidence of new, postoperative CD, diagnosed by 12-lead or24-hour Holter electrocardiogram, was 68.0%. Left bundle branch block was the most common conductionabnormality, with an incidence of 45.8%. The incidence of complete atrioventricular block requiring PPMimplantation was 20%.Conclusions: We observed a higher incidence of early conduction disorders and need for PPM implantationafter PAVR than generally reported after surgery. Whether this observation is clinically importantrequires larger prospective studies and follow up.