P750 Dynamics of tricuspid regurgitation after right ventricular lead implantation

Abstract

Abstract Placement of ICDs, permanent pacemakers, and biventricular devices is performed under fluoroscopic guidance. Implantable device leads can cause tricuspid regurgitation (TR) when they interfere with leaflet motion. In the past, we had the experience of 2 cases with RV lead who had severe TR; one had lead repositioning and the other needed surgery. Aim: Evaluation of TR after right ventricular (RV) permanent lead implantation to check if echocardiographic guidance is needed for adequate lead positioning. Methods: Seventy six patients had trans-thoracic Doppler echocardiographic studies before and after implantation of permanent RV leads. Results: Before RV lead implantation 96% of patients had TR, grade 1 in 57 patients (75%), grade 2 in 12 (16%), grade 3 and 4 in 4 (5%). After RV lead implantation 44 patients with grade 1 TR remained with the same degree (77%) while in 2 (3.5%) TR progressed to grade 2, and in the remainder the TR disappeared. Most of the patients with grade 2 TR before RV lead implantation (75%) remained in grade 2 while 25% the grade decreased to grade 1. In all the patients with grade 3 and 4 TR pre-implantation, the severity of TR decreased by one grade. In 56 patients with non-CRT device implantations, 39 (70%) had grade I TR before procedure and in 28 (72%) of them TR grade did not change and 11(28%) TR grade progressed to grade 2 after implantation. Grade 2 TR before implantation in 8 patients (14%), the TR grade decreased in3 (37.5%) and did not change in the others. In 3 (5.4%) patients with grade 3 and 4 TR before procedure, the TR decreased after procedure. Conclusions: Implantation of permanent RV leads did not worsen TR grade.