Outcomes after pacemaker implantation in patients with new-onset left bundle-branch block after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

New-onset left bundle branch block (N-LBBB) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a challenging clinical dilemma. In our single-center study, 60 out of 172 patients who underwent permanent pacemaker implantation (PPM) after TAVR had N-LBBB (34.9%). At a median follow-up duration of 357 days (IQR, 178; 560 days), two patients (3.5%) were completely pacemaker-dependent, and four others (7%) were partially dependent. Twelve patients (24%) recovered conduction in their left bundle at a median follow-up duration of 5 weeks (IQR, 4; 14 weeks). Due to the lack of clinical predictors of pacemaker dependency, active surveillance is warranted and may be an alternative to permanent pacemaker implantation.

Retrograde Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention via Saphenous Vein Graft.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the use of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) for retrograde crossing during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: The use of SVGs for retrograde crossing during CTO PCI has received limited study. METHODS: A total of 1,615 retrograde CTO PCIs performed between 2012 and 2019 at 25 centers were examined. Clinical, angiographic, and technical characteristics and procedural outcomes were compared among retrograde cases via SVGs (SVG group) versus other collateral vessels (non-SVG group). RESULTS: Retrograde CTO PCI via SVGs was performed in 189 cases (12%). Patients in the SVG group were older (mean age 70 ± 9 years vs. 64 ± 10 years; p < 0.01) and had higher rates of prior myocardial infarction (62% vs. 51%; p < 0.01) and prior PCI (81% vs. 70%; p < 0.01). They were more likely to have moderate or severe calcification (81% vs. 65%; p < 0.01) and moderate or severe tortuosity (53% vs. 44%; p = 0.02) and had similar J-CTO (Multicenter CTO Registry in Japan) scores (3.2 ± 1.0 vs. 3.1 ± 1.1; p = 0.13) but higher PROGRESS-CTO (Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention) scores (4.7 ± 1.7 vs. 3.1 ± 1.1; p < 0.01). Technical (85% vs. 78%; p = 0.04) and procedural (81% vs. 74%; p = 0.04) success rates were higher in the SVG group, with no difference in in-hospital major adverse events (6.4% vs. 4.4%; p = 0.22). Contrast volume was lower in the SVG group (225 ml [173 to 325 ml] vs. 292 ml [202 to 400 ml]; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Use of SVGs for retrograde crossing is associated with higher rates of technical and procedural success and similar rates of in-hospital major adverse cardiac events compared with retrograde CTO PCI via other collateral vessels.

Detection of Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter by Pacemaker Device Interrogation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): Implications for Management.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) are associated with increased risk of stroke and mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Many episodes of new-onset AF/AFL (NOAF) occur after hospital discharge and may not be clinically apparent. Pacemakers can detect subclinical episodes of rapid atrial rate, which correlate with electrocardiographically documented AF. METHODS: From 2012 to 2017, patients who underwent pacemaker implantation after TAVR were reviewed, and pacemaker data from device checks were analyzed for detection of NOAF. Patients with prior AF/AFL were excluded. Secondary outcomes were mortality and ischemic stroke. RESULTS: A total of 172 patients underwent TAVR and pacemaker implantation, and 95 were without pre-existent AF/AFL. Over a median follow-up of 15 months, a total of 24 patients had NOAF (25%), of which 10 patients (10.5%) had manifest NOAF detected on electrocardiography, and 14 patients (14.7%) had subclinical NOAF first identified on device interrogation. The cumulative incidence of mortality was 16.7% for NOAF and 15.5% for normal sinus rhythm (P=.83). The cumulative incidence of stroke was 12.5% for NOAF and 1.4% for normal sinus rhythm (P=.04). Subclinical NOAF patients were less likely to be started on anticoagulation compared with manifest NOAF patients (70% vs 15.3%, respectively; P=.02). CONCLUSION: Subclinical NOAF is common after TAVR, usually occurs months after hospital discharge, and is associated with lack of anticoagulation therapy and increased risk of stroke. Prolonged surveillance of subclinical NOAF may be warranted after TAVR.

Use of the DyeVert System in Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) often requires administration of large contrast volume. The DyeVert system (Osprey Medical) is a disposable, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved device that interfaces with standard manifold systems to reduce the amount of contrast used in cardiac catheterization. METHODS: We compared the procedural outcomes of patients in whom the DyeVert system was used vs those in whom it was not used during CTO-PCI at a single center between 2017 and 2018. RESULTS: The DyeVert system was used in 39 of 134 CTO-PCIs performed in 130 patients (30%). Most patients (79%) were men and the mean age was 66.6 ± 10.9 years. The most common target vessel was the right coronary artery (54.5%), followed by the left anterior descending artery (26.1%), and circumflex artery (15.7%). The median contrast volume used in DyeVert patients was significantly lower (200 mL [interquartile range, 153-256 mL] vs 250 mL [interquartile range, 170-303 mL]; P=.04). There were no in-hospital major complications with the DyeVert system, nor device-related procedural complications. One patient in the DyeVert group had contrast-induced nephropathy following CTO-PCI that did not require dialysis. CONCLUSION: Use of the DyeVert system is feasible during CTO-PCI and may reduce the contrast volume administered to the patient. Additional larger studies with a primary clinical endpoint are needed to confirm these findings.