Clinical Research Directory

A Multimodal Strategy to Screen for and Rule-Out Delayed High-Grade Conduction Disturbances After TAVR

Electrocardiogram (ECG)-based algorithms have been proposed to guide post-TAVI conduction management; however, their ability to predict clinically relevant delayed conduction disturbances remains limited. The research team hypothesized that a rationalized strategy combining ECG findings with simple pre-procedural computed tomography (CT), derived criteria and implantation depth of the device, could improve risk stratification, reduce unnecessary pacemaker implantation (PPI) and preserve patient safety. The investigator conducted a retrospective, multicenter study including 209 consecutive participants who underwent TAVR between February 2023 and September 2024 who were free from permanent pacemaker implantation at discharge. The investigator evaluated the performance of an ECG-based risk stratification algorithm previously described associated with pre-procedural CT parameters, including (membranous septum length, extent of valvular and subvalvular calcifications) and implantation depth. The primary endpoint was the incidence of severe delayed conduction disturbances (including high-grade or complete atrioventricular block, severe or symptomatic bradycardia requiring Permanent Pacemaker Implantation (PPI)) occurring at 3 months in patients according to the presence or absence of risk criteria defined by the algorithm. Secondary endpoints included the algorithm's positive and negative predictive values, assessment of non-syncopal conduction disorders, impact on post-procedural intensive care admission, timing of delayed conduction disturbances, delayed elective pacemaker indications, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, and cardiac-related rehospitalizations.

Prospective Validation of a Pre-Specified Algorithm for the Management of Conduction Disturbances Following TAVR

The high incidence and variety of conduction disturbances post-TAVR represents a major challenge in the periprocedural management of TAVR recipients. Despite the growing body of knowledge on this topic, the large variability in the management of these complications has translated into a high degree of uncertainty regarding the most appropriate treatment of a large proportion of such patients. The implementation of a pre-specified treatment strategy translating into a more uniform practice regarding the management of conduction disturbances post-TAVR applied to a large cohort of patients would permit to identify the benefits and drawbacks of each specific aspect of the treatment algorithm proposal. This may also help to improve both the management and clinical outcomes of the complex group of patients with conduction disturbances associated with TAVR. In the end, the final objective of a pre-specified strategy for managing conduction disturbances post-TAVR should be to obtain a low rate of PPM without increasing the risk of sudden death or life threatening arrhythmic events following hospital discharge, and all this while avoiding an excessive prolongation of the hospitalization period following the TAVR procedure.

Biomarkers of Inflammation and Fibrosis in Conduction Disorders After TAVI

Prediction of conduction disorders (CDs) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an important and complex process with a significant impact on patient outcomes. The goal of this observational prospective trial is to investigate the role of pre-procedural values of systemic biomarkers of inflammation and fibrosis in the prediction of new-onset CDs and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) in patients undergoing the TAVI procedure.

Long Term Evaluation and Management of Atrial Fibrillation in Pacemaker Patients

This study is prospective randomized study which was performed in multicenter (General Hospital) in Korea. Inclusion criteria is patients who developed atrial fibrillation/flutter/tachycardia after pacemaker implantation among AF-pacemaker study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03303872). The purpose is to investigate the recurrence rate of AF/AFL/AT in both groups after randomization for 60 months (5 years) in patients post pacemaker implantation and assess long term clinical results.