Late ventricular standstill following an elective TAVI

BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Dec 17;12(12):e232477. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2019-232477.

Abstract

Transcatheter aortic valve implantations (TAVIs) may be complicated by a need for permanent pacemaker implantation post procedure, usually due to local trauma or compression on the conduction system. There are some features that might help predict that a patient is high risk for developing conduction disease following TAVI, for example, underlying right bundle branch block or use of certain types of TAVI. It might also become apparent during the procedure, or before temporary wire removal post procedure. Higher risk patients may undergo rhythm monitoring for longer periods post TAVI. We present a case where a patient required an unexpected emergency pacemaker following a TAVI, despite low risk clinical features, a low risk baseline ECG, and the use of a low risk TAVI valve. In addition, this very significant conduction disease only became apparent over 72 hours following implantation, despite normal resting ECGs and telemetry up to that point.

Keywords: arrhythmias; interventional cardiology; pacing and electrophysiology; valvar diseases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Atrioventricular Node / diagnostic imaging*
  • Atrioventricular Node / physiopathology
  • Cardiac Conduction System Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiac Conduction System Disease / etiology
  • Cardiac Conduction System Disease / surgery*
  • Elective Surgical Procedures / adverse effects
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pacemaker, Artificial
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery
  • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement / adverse effects*
  • Treatment Outcome