Relevance of New Conduction Disorders After Implantation of the ACURATE Neo Transcatheter Heart Valve in the Aortic Valve Position

Abstract

The ACURATE neo transcatheter heart valve has been associated with very low rates of new conduction disorders (CDs). We assessed the clinical relevance of new CDs in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with this valve. Data of consecutive patients without a pre-existing left bundle branch block (LBBB) or a permanent pacemaker (PPM) undergoing TAVR with the ACURATE neo were analyzed from the prospective SwissTAVI registry. Patients with new CDs were compared with patients with an unchanged electrocardiogram (ECG). ACURATE neo was implanted in 203 patients (mean age 82 ± 6 years, 63% women), CDs occurred in 28 patients (22 [11%] developed a LBBB, 6 [3%] required a PPM). New CDs resulted in a longer median duration of hospitalization (7 vs 5 days, interquartile range 4 to 13 vs 3 to 8 days, p = 0.04). At 1-year follow-up, left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly lower in patients with new CDs comparedwith patients with an unchanged ECG (54% ± 13% vs 61% ± 9%, p <0.01). Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival at 1-year were 89% in patients with new CDs and 95% in patients with an unchanged ECG (hazard ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 0.7 to 6.2, p = 0.22). After TAVR with the self-expanding ACURATE neo valve, the rate of new CDs, including complete LBBB was low and very few patients required a new PPM. However, new CDs prolonged initial hospitalization and increased the risk for left ventricular-dysfunction at 1-year follow-up. Patients without new CDs had excellent outcomes with a very high survival rate at 1-year follow-up.