Incidence of Conduction Disorders and Requirements for Permanent Pacemaker After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become a therapeutic option for high-risk or non-operable patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Atrioventricular conduction disturbances requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) are a common and clinically important complication. Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of conduction disorders (CDs) after TAVI and the need for subsequent PPM implantation. To identify the predictors of postoperative PPM implantation. Methods: Retrospective study. All patients who underwent TAVI in a public hospital from December/2011 to June/2016 were included. Multivariate analysis was conducted to establish the predictor of permanent pacemaker implantation. Survival curves were constructed by the Kaplan-Meyer method. Statistically significant variables were those with p value < 0.05. Results: 64 patients with AS underwent TAVI. Eleven patients were excluded. TAVI induced a new CD in 40 (77%) of the remaining 53 patients. The most common new CDs were 3rd degree AV block (32%) and left bundle branch block (30%). Sixteen patients (30,2%) underwent PPM implantation during the index hospitalization. On univariate analysis the risk factors for PPM implantation were CoreValve® use (OR: 1,76; P = 0,005), larger prosthesis implantation (P = 0,015), presence of a QRS ≥ 120 ms (OR: 5,62; P = 0,012), and 1st degree AV block (OR: 13; P = 0.008). On multivariate analysis the presence of 1st degree AV block predicted the need for PPM. Conclusion: TAVI induced CDs requiring PPM in 30% of the patients. The presence of 1st degree AV block predicted the need for PPM

Arterite de Takayasu: aspectos clínicos e terapêuticos em 36 pacientes / Takayasu's arteritis: clinical and therapeutic aspects in 36 patients

CONTEXTO: A arterite de Takayasu é uma vasculite crônica, geralmente com diagnóstico tardio devido à pouca especificidade dos sintomas durante a fase inicial do acometimento vascular. A terapêutica de eleição é o uso de imunossupressores. O procedimento cirúrgico, quando necessário, é sempre evitado na fase aguda. OBJETIVO: Descrever alterações clínicas, laboratoriais e vasculares de arterite de Takayasu no período de 1977 a 2006. MÉTODO: A amostra compreendeu 36 pacientes - 10 brancos, 35 mulheres, idade média de 31,7 anos (±13,7), com prevalência significante na quarta década (p < 0,005). Evolução de 3 anos e período até o diagnóstico de 7,9 anos. Velocidade de hemossedimentação (VHS) e proteína C reativa (PCR) avaliaram atividade da doença, e o duplex scan aferiu a espessura médio- intimal da artéria carótida. RESULTADOS: Hipertensão arterial sistêmica e claudicação de membros superiores e inferiores foram ressaltados em 85,2, 69,5 e 30,5 por cento, respectivamente. O resultado da VHS foi > 60 mm em 50 por cento da amostra (p < 0,005). PCR mg/dL foi realizado em 18, variando de 0,4-25 na admissão para 0,11-1,9 na evolução. Doença auto-imune, tuberculose e HIV correlacionaram-se em 19,4, 8,3 e 2,7 por cento, respectivamente. Lesões aórticas foram significativas em 22 por cento (quatro oclusões, dois aneurismas infra-renais, um torácico). Em 19,4 por cento, foram acometidas artérias renais e subclávias uma oclusão bilateral de carótidas, e em 25 por cento os membros inferiores. A espessura médio-intimal da carótida comum foi estratificada em: > 3 mm, < 3 e > 1,7, < 1,7 e > 1,2 e < 1,2 mm, representando 41,6, 19,4, 8,37 e 30,50 por cento, respectivamente (p < 0,005). Glicocorticóides foram utilizados em 61,1 por cento, azatioprina em 16.6 por cento, e associada a ciclofosfamida em 8,3 por cento. Procedimento cirúrgico ou endovascular foi realizado em 30,5 por cento com dois óbitos por complicações cardiovasculares. CONCLUSÕES: A VHS,...

BACKGROUND: Takayasu arteritis is a chronic vasculitis often with delayed diagnosis due to the nonspecific presentation of clinical symptoms in its initial phase. Treatment includes imunosuppression drugs. Surgical treatment, when necessary, should be avoided in the acute phase. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical, laboratory and vascular findings in Takayasu's arteritis from 1977 through 2006. METHODS: The sample was comprised of 36 patients (10 Caucasians, 35 women), mean age of 31.7 (±13.7) years, and significant prevalence in the forth decade (p < 0.005). Disease course was 3 years and time until diagnosis was 7.9 years. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were used to assess disease activity, and duplex scan to measure carotid artery intima-media wall thickness. RESULTS: Hypertension was present in 85.2 percent, and upper and lower limb claudication in 69.5 and 30.5 percent, respectively. ESR was > 60 mm in 50 percent of the sample (p < 0.005). PCR mg/dL was performed in 18 cases, ranging from 0.4-25 on admission to 0.11-1.9 during disease course. Autoimmune diseases, tuberculosis and HIV correlated in 19.4, 8.3 and 2.7 percent, respectively. Major aortic lesions were detected in 22.2 percent (four occlusions, two infrarenal aneurysms, one thoracic aneurysm). Other arteries involved renal, subclavian and one carotid occlusion (19 percent), and some level of lower limb occlusion (25 percent). Intima-media thickness was stratified in > 3 mm (41.6 percent), < 3 and > 1.7 (19.4 percent), < 1.7 and > 1.2 (8.37 percent), and < 1.2 mm (30.50 percent) (p < 0.005). Glucocorticoids were used in 61 percent, azathioprine in 16.6 percent, and azathioprine combined with cyclophosphamide in 8.3 percent. Surgical and endovascular procedures were performed in 30.5 percent. Two patients died due to cardiovascular diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid intima-media thickness, PCR, and ESR are important markers for the follow-up of...