Sinus node dysfunction after heart transplantation-An analysis of risk factors and atrial pacing burden.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the development of sinus node dysfunction (SND) requiring pacemaker implantation after heart transplant (HTx) especially regarding pacing burden in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients requiring a pacemaker for SND were compared to all other patients in an HTx cohort including transplant patients from 1981 to 2016. RESULTS: Sinus node dysfunction requiring pacemaker implantation developed in 118 patients (10%). These patients had received a biatrial anastomosis more frequently than those in the No SND group 95.8% vs 90.0% (P = .042). The ratio of reperfusion time to aortic cross-clamp time was significantly smaller in the SND group compared to the No SND group 71.7% vs 80.3% (P = .033). This also holds for the ratio of reperfusion time to ischemia time, which was 23.2% and 28.6%, respectively (P = .032). Pacing burden decreased from 90.5% to 66.3% after 2 years and remained around this value in the remaining 4 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: We identified the biatrial anastomosis and a low ratio of reperfusion time to aortic cross-clamp time as well as to ischemia time as risk factors for SND requiring pacing. After implantation pacemakers continue to pace for over 60% of the time after 6 years.