Cardiac Pacing and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI): A Literature Update

Abstract

Aortic valve replacement is a routine procedure with acceptable risk. In some cases, mortality is high, contraindicating the procedure. The minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve implantation seems to be an alternative, reducing morbidity and mortality. In this procedure, a bioprosthetic valve is introduced through a catheter and fixed within the injured native aortic valve. Even though the technique is considered comparatively safe, the risks of complications exist and they that have been established by individuals after the technique, for example new-onset permanent left bundle branch block (LBBB) and the need for permanent cardiac pacing implantation. A systematic review of literature of PUBMED was carried out using “10 years” and “free full texts” as filters, containing the terms “TAVI,” “pacing,” and “complications,” finding a total of eight articles. Other databases, such as SCIELO, Google Scholar and MEDLINE were used to give background, consistency and profundity to the text. The implantation of aortic valve prosthesis per catheter seems to be a valid modality for high–surgical risk patients with aortic stenosis. The results of this series of patients suggest that the need for a definitive pacemaker after endovascular treatment is not inexorable and is not easily predicted by the risk factors described so far.