909 TIMING AND DETERMINANTS OF PERMANENT PACEMAKER IMPLANTATION AFTER TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT: IS THE NEW GENERATION BETTER?


 
 
 conduction disturbances requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation are among the most common adverse events in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The introduction in clinical practice of a new generation of TAVR devices has contributed to a significant reduction in procedural complications. However, limited data is available regarding the usual timing of PPM implantation after TAVR with the latest available valves. Therefore, in this analysis, we aimed to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and timing of new permanent pacemakers after TAVR, with respect to the type of valve implanted.
 
 
 
 Patients who underwent TAVR at our Institution from September 2008 to June 2022 were included in this analysis. Patients with previous PPM/ICD implantation or receiving only balloon angioplasty were excluded, as well as cases with procedural unsuccess. The independent association between baseline clinical and procedural variables and the occurrence of PPM implantation was investigated with cross-sectional logistic regression analysis.
 
 
 
 A total of 497 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 80.4±5.6 years old; 59% were females, 37.2% of patients had diabetes, 60.2% had dyslipidemia, and 25.8% had chronic kidney disease. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 52.1%, and the mean Euroscore II was 7.7±5.1. The new generation of self-expandable valves was used in 280 (56.3%) patients, while the new generation of balloon-expandable devices was implanted in 118 (23.7%). After TAVR, 109 (21.3%) patients underwent PPM/ICD implantation after a mean time of 4.1±3.1 days. After adjustment, self-expandable devices, larger valve sizes (29 or 34 mm), and diabetes were significantly associated with PPM/ICD implantation. Of note, the new generation of valve devices was associated with a lower risk of PPM/ICD implantation.
 
 
 
 The necessity for a permanent pacemaker is a well-known possible adverse effect after TAVR. In this analysis, we confirm the previous evidence of an increasing risk of PPM implantation with self-expandable compared to balloon-expandable devices. Interestingly, the new valve generation was associated with a lower risk of conduction disturbances requiring PPM implantation. Further analyses and investigations will be needed to assess the impact of developing interventional techniques and advanced technologies on the occurrence of conduction disturbances.
