scholarly journals Lower pacemaker implantation rates for atrioventricular block during COVID-19

EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Zweiker ◽  
T Puntus ◽  
F Egger ◽  
R Kriz ◽  
J Koch ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction The first wave of the COVID-19 crisis was associated with a reduction of patients presenting with acute cardiovascular disease. However, there is only limited data showing the trend of pacemaker implantations and their indications. Purpose To evaluate pacemaker implantations before, during and after the first COVID-19 wave, stratified by indication. Methods We analysed the weekly rates of pacemaker implantation at our centre during the first national lockdown for COVID-19 at the between 16 March 2020 and 29 April 2020 (weeks 12-17 / 2020), compared to the implantation rates 6 weeks before (weeks 6-11 / 2020), 6 weeks afterwards (weeks 18-23 / 2020), and the same time frame in 2017-2019. To reduce bias due to postponed planned procedures, we stratified pacemaker implantations into the following groups: total implantations (including box changes), new pacemaker implantations, implantation due to AV block, implantation due to supraventricular conduction disturbances, and other implantations. Results The total number of total weekly implantations was reduced from 10.7 (weeks 6-11 / 2020) to 4.2 (weeks 12-17 / 2020; -60.1%, p = 0.02). We found no significant reduction in the same time frame in 2017-2019 (6.5 vs. 6.1 per week, p = 0.29). We found a similar effect in "new" pacemaker implantations (8.5 vs. 3.2 per week, -62.7%, p = 0.02) and AV block (5.0 vs. 1.5 per week, -70%, p = 0.03). There was no reduction in pacemaker implantation due to sick sinus syndrome (2.5 vs. 0.8 per week, -66.7%, p = 0.12) and other indications (1.0 vs. 0.8 per week, -16.7%, p = 0.86). In the six following weeks (18-23 / 2020), the total numbers (6.0 per week) and indications other than AV block rose to baseline (p > 0.05), but patients with AV block were still less prevalent (1.7 per week, p = 0.04). Conclusion The reduction of total and new pacemaker implantations during the COVID-19 lockdown was mainly based on a reduced pacemaker implantation rate for AV block. This effect persisted even after the national lockdown. This analysis implies that a significant number of patients with AV block may have avoided medical contact during and after the lockdown and therefore have experienced increased mortality.

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D De Almeida Fernandes ◽  
R Cadete ◽  
J Guimaraes ◽  
E Monteiro ◽  
G Costa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background COVID-19 was first considered a pandemic on the 11th of March of 2020 by the World Health Organization. Its impact comprised not only the direct consequences of the disease but a decrease in the follow-up and interventions of patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease. In Portugal and the World, the consequences of this complex paradigm shift on emergent pacemaker implantation rates during and after this pandemic is largely unknown. Purpose We sought to analyse the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on emergent pacemaker implantation rate and patient profile in a tertiary hospital during the first Portuguese lockdown and subsequent post-lockdown period. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical profile of patients who had pacemakers implanted in our hospital in an urgent/emergent setting from March 18, 2020 to May 17, 2020 (lockdown) and May 19 to July 17, 2020 (post-lockdown). This data was then directly compared to the homologous periods from the year before (H1 and H2, respectively). Results A total of 180 patients submitted to emergent pacemaker implantation were included. The cohort was comprised of 29 patients who had a pacemaker implanted during lockdown, 60 post-lockdown, 38 in H1 (+31% vs lockdown) and 53 in H2. Average age and gender proportion were similar for all groups. When comparing lockdown and post-lockdown periods, the number of cases significantly increased in the second period (+106.9%) and there was a tendency for a higher number of temporary pacemaker use (3.4% vs 16.7%; p=0.076). Patients admitted during lockdown were 7.57 times more likely to present with hypotension/shock (odds ratio (OR) 7.57; p=0.013). Regarding lockdown and its homologous 2019 period, there was a decrease in the number of patients admitted (−23.7%). Again, there was a higher tendency for hypotension on presentation during lockdown (p=0.054). In comparison to its homologous 2019 period, post-lockdown saw a slight increase in the number of patients (+13.2%) and more patients presented with bradycardia (16.7% vs 3.8%; p=0.026). Also of note, no patients were admitted to the emergency department during lockdown for anomalies detected on ambulatory tests (Holter, electrocardiogram or implanted loop recorder). Conclusion During lockdown, clinical presentation was generally more severe, with a greater number of patients presenting with hypotension/shock. In addition, there appears to be a lockdown effect on emergent bradyarrhtmias admissions in the post-lockdown period with a profound impact: higher admission rates and more severe presentations including a higher need of temporary pacemaker. Patients with symptoms suggestive of bradyarrhythmias should be advised to present promptly regardless of the pandemic. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Pacemakers during lockdown/post-lockdown Pacemakers implanted by diagnosis


EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Bricoli ◽  
G Benatti ◽  
L Vignali ◽  
I Tadonio ◽  
MF Notarangelo ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. BACKGROUND The occurrence of conduction disturbances remains frequent after TAVR. However, the effect of PM on mortality is controversial and many patients may recover spontaneous AV conduction during follow-up.  PURPOSE To evaluate the incidence of PM implantation after TAVR, PM dependency and  burden of ventricular pacing during follow-up and their influence on mortality.  METHODS AND RESULTS We performed a retrospective analysis of all consecutive 293 patients who underwent TAVR from 2015 to 2019 at our hospital, regional hub for this procedure. Patients were classified into 3 groups: patients without PM (no-PM), patients with a PM implanted prior to TAVR (pre-PM) and patients requiring a PM following TAVR (post-PM) and their clinical and procedural characteristics are listed in Table 1.  The rate of PM implantation after TAVR was 20,8%, at a median of 3.6 days after the procedure. The most common indication was complete AV block. A VVIR pacemaker was implanted in 28 patients, a DDD/DDDR PM in 27 patients and 2 patients received a CRT device. Among post-PPM patients, only 16% were PM-dependent at 2-month and 1-year follow-up. All of them received a PM for complete AV block (AVB). At 1-year follow-up, RV pacing burden was 60% among AVB patients and 23% in patients with a PM implanted for other reasons. PM implantation after TAVR was not associated with a mortality difference at 30-day, 1-year and long-term follow-up. Pre-PPM patients showed a higher mortality rate at long-term follow-up although not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that a single chamber device should be preferred in patients implanted for reasons other than complete AVB; in patients with AVB, the use of dual chamber device with an algorithm to minimize RV pacing should be the most suitable choice. Overall (293)No PPM (216)Pre-PPM (19)Post-PPM (57)p-valueAge, median(IQR)82(80-86)82(80-86)82(79-87)82(80-86)0,53Female, n(%)160(55)129(59)6(32)25(44)0,40NYHA III-IV, n(%)191(65)147(68)15(79)29(51)0,06Logistic Euroscore, mean (IQR)7,53(3,5-8,3)7(3,5-8)9,83(3,6-12)6(3,5-7,4)0,51Right bundle-branch block, n(%)21(7)13(6)na8(14)0,04AVA, mean ± SD0,69 ± 0,190,7 ± 0,190,7 ± 0,160,66 ± 0,180,23Self-expandable valve, n(%)181(62)123(57)12(63)46(81)0,001Balloon-expandable valve, n(%)102(35)86(40)7(37)8(14)0,0003Implant depth, mean ± SD6,87 ± 2,96,32 ± 2,65,71 ± 39,12 ± 30,0001Abstract Figure. Kaplan-Meier survival curve


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Hyams ◽  
K Balkhausen ◽  
C Townsend

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Purpose The 2014 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for the management of Valvular Heart Disease (VHD) suggest that patients with mild and moderate native VHD should be followed up with echocardiography at regular intervals. Following audits at our hospital in 2016, dedicated Physiologist Led Valve Clinics (PLVC) were initiated to improve guideline adherence. A conservative strategy for follow-up frequency based on AHA guidelines was chosen (3 years for mild VHD, and 1 year for moderate VHD). This audit aimed to ascertain adherence to this conservative follow-up strategy, and to assess the progression of VHD between echocardiographic assessments to inform a strategy for safe follow-up in our PLVC. Methods Our echocardiography database Cognos was searched for patients with isolated mild and moderate native VHD, seen in our PLVC between 2016-2018 and followed up between 2017-2019. Patients with severe, prosthetic, combined or significant mixed VHD were excluded. Echocardiography reports on McKesson were reviewed and the follow-up interval recorded for each patient. The severity of VHD at the index visit, and then at follow-up, was recorded to determine whether there had been a progression in VHD severity. For patients with progression, it was recorded whether they were symptomatic at follow-up or subsequently underwent valvular intervention. Results 466 index echocardiograms were reviewed; 134 patients were included (mean age 73.4) after removing those with exclusion criteria. The mean follow-up interval in mild VHD ranged between 587.6 ± 188.3 days, and 667.3 ± 174.6 days, well above the recommended 3 years (or 1095 days). The majority of patients with moderate VHD received follow-up well before the upper limit of AHA guidance (2 years, or 730 days). Mean follow-up ranged between 408.3 ± 80.8 days (in moderate aortic stenosis (AS)) and 504.0 ± 29.0 days (in moderate mitral stenosis (MS)). The number of patients followed up with mild VHD was very low. 1 patient in each group progressed to moderate VHD (out of 2, 3 and 5 respectively); none became symptomatic, and none progressed from mild to severe VHD. In moderate VHD, progression rates were highest in AS (34.8%). Patients with progressive disease were more frequently symptomatic (43%) or underwent valve intervention (25%). Fewer with mitral regurgitation (MR) (22%) progressed, 44.5% of whom were symptomatic, 11% undergoing intervention. Patients with moderate aortic regurgitation (AR) saw the lowest progression rates (11.4%), 50% of whom were symptomatic. There was no progression in moderate MS. Conclusions Patients with mild VHD can safely be followed up less conservatively in the PLVC setting, adhering to AHA guidance (3-5 years). Patients with moderate AS should be considered to remain under conservative follow-up (12-18 months). Follow-up for moderate AR, MR and MS can safely be adjusted towards the less conservative end of the AHA guidance (2 years). Abstract Figure.


2001 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 173-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D'Souza ◽  
F Dawson ◽  
F. Kerr

Raigmore is a district general hospital offering a permanent pacemaker service to its catchment population of 233,500. This report reviews the pacemaker practice over a seven year period (1994 to 2000) and makes a comparison with the national database and other hospitals in the UK. The records of all patients receiving new implantions for the period under observation were reviewed retrospectively. Data collected included number of patients paced each year, age, sex, indications and complications. In the 84 months studied 3/71 patients received new permanent pacemakers (the mean age was 74 years and 51% were male). The most common presenting symptoms were syncope (62%), dizzy spells (24%), and heart failure (11.5%). The most common indication for permanent pacemaker insertion was complete atrioventricular block (58%) followed by sick sinus syndrome (20%). The implantation rate was 419.3/million population /year in 2000. Pacemaker modes used were appropriate and the early and late complication rates were low (2.7%). This current audit demonstrates continued growth of the service with low-complication rates and implantation rates which approach those in Western Europe and North America.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 69-87
Author(s):  
Vassil Traykov ◽  
Svetoslav Iovev ◽  
Borislav Borisov ◽  
Ivaylo Kozhuharov ◽  
Momchil Marinov ◽  
...  

The current study analyses the activity in cardiac pacing in Bulgaria in 2019, 2020 and 2021 based on data derived from a national registry of patients with cardiac electronic implantable devices (CIEDs). Materials and methods. Data from the national registry BG-Pace in the period 08.2019-06.2021 was retrospectively studied. Demographic data, procedure and device type, pacing mode, etiology, symptoms, preimplantation ECG, number of implantations and centre and operator volumes were analysed. Results. Six thousand nine hundred forty-nine devices were implanted by 47 operators in 28 centres for the study period. Median age was 75 (IQR 68-81, 21-103) years in males and 77 (IQR 71-82, 17-98) years in females, P< 0.05. The largest number of devices were implanted in the age group 70-79 years. The most commonly implanted CIEDs were antibradycardia devices with a total of 486.7/million implantations for the period 08.2019-08.2020 and 353.9/million for the period 08.2020-06.2021. Implanted cardioverter-defibrillators demonstrated a growth from 14.1/million to 20.1/million in the period 08.2020 – 06.2021. The number of all implantations dropped signifi cantly during the two epidemic waves of COVID-19. The mean number of implantations per centre and per operator for the whole period was 232.3±204 (2-705) and 148±139.1 (2-660), respectively. Dual chamber device implantations were more prevalent, representing 65.8% of implantations in AV block I and II degree, 63.5% in complete AV block, 59.8% in intraventricular conduction disturbances and 60.9% in sick sinus syndrome. Pacing modes with atrial sensing represented more than 55% of the implantations for all indications. Increasing age was associated with signifi cantly more common use of VVI pacing mode (P < 0.001). Conclusion. The national registry BG-Pace includes systematic clinical, demographical and procedural data for CIED implantations in Bulgaria. Results demonstrate lower number of implantations compared to the average European volume. There was a signifi cant drop in the implantation rate during the two waves of COVID-19. 


EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Marco Clement ◽  
M Cossiani Martinez ◽  
S Castrejon Castrejon ◽  
C Alvarez Ortega ◽  
L Martin Polo ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Ablation of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is an extremely safe procedure, being complete atrioventricular (AV) block the most feared complication.  Transient AV or ventriculoatrial (VA) block during ablation is considered a risk marker of immediate AV permanent block. Purpose To study whether TB (transient block) during AVNRT ablation is associated with a higher risk of AV permanent block and pacemaker implantation during long term follow-up. Methods Retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent ablation for AVNRT in our center and had a minimum five years follow-up. Patients carrying a cardiac pacing device were excluded. Data was extracted from electronic medical records and follow-up was performed by telephone contact. TB was defined as AV or VA loss of conduction of at least 1 beat during energy delivery. Results We included 689 patients who underwent AVNRT ablation from March 1995 to December 2015: mean age 52.6 ± 18.6 years; 240 (34.8%) male; 677 radiofrequency and 12 cryotherapy ablations. TB was observed in 106 (15,4%) patients. Baseline characteristics are described in Table 1. Within the TB group, 44 (41.5%) patients presented with AV block, 60 (56.6%) with VA block, and 2 patients presented with both. TB concerned more than one beat in 65 (61.9%) cases and persisted after cessation of energy delivery in 15 (14.2%) cases.  Two patients did not recover AV conduction, requiring pacemaker implantation before discharge. During a median 12.5 years follow-up (IQR 9.5-16.6), 3 of the remaining 104 TB patients required pacemaker implantation due to AV block. All 3 had presented AV TB and had undergone radiofrequency ablation; they were not significantly older (67.0 ± 9.3 vs 48.8 ± 19.8, p = 0.12) but presented longer basal PR (237.0 ± 115.2 vs 152.6 ± 26.5, p &lt; 0.001) and HV (57.3 ± 6.7 vs 44.2 ± 7.6, p = 0.004) intervals. When compared to the non-TB group, there were no differences in pacemaker implantation due to AV block during follow-up (7 (1.2%) p = 0.19). However, median time to pacemaker implantation was shorter in TB patients than in non-TB: 0.7 [0.1-1.4] vs 13.7 [5.2-22.0], p = 0.02. Conclusion Long term incidence of permanent AV block did not differ between TB and non-TB groups, however AV block occurred significantly earlier in TB patients. Non-TB group(n = 583) TB group(n = 106) p Age (mean ± SD) 53.2 ± 18.3 49.3 ± 19.8 0.05 PR (mean ± SD) 153.0 ± 28.4 155.0 ± 33.8 0.54 AH (mean ± SD) 83.3 ± 23.6 82.1 ± 22.2 0.64 HV (mean ± SD) 44.4 ± 7.8 44.6 ± 7.9 0.76


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weber Marcel ◽  
Sinning Jan-Malte ◽  
Hammerstingl Christoph ◽  
Werner Nikos ◽  
Grube Eberhard ◽  
...  

The number of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) worldwide is increasing steadily. Atrioventricular conduction disturbances, with or without the need for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation, are one of the most common adverse events after TAVR. Among transcatheter heart valves (THV), rates of conduction abnormalities vary from less than 10 % to more than 50 %. Depending on the reported data referred to, historical data showed that up to one-third of the patients required implantation of a PPM following TAVR. Although generally considered as a minor complication, PPM may have a profound impact on prognosis and quality of life after TAVR. Current data support the hypothesis that conduction abnormalities leading to pacemaker dependency result from mechanical compression of the conduction system by the prosthesis stent frame and individual predisposing conduction defects such as right bundle-branch block (RBBB). With several large randomised trials and registry studies having been published recently and second generation THV having been introduced, the debate about predictors for pacemaker implantation and their impact on outcome after TAVR is still ongoing.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
F De Torres Alba ◽  
G Kaleschke ◽  
J Vormbrock ◽  
H Reinecke ◽  
H Deschka ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Pre-existing right bundle branch block (RBBB) is a well stablished risk factor for the development of high grade conduction abnormalities (CAs) after TAVI. The association of pre-existing 1st degree AV-Block (AVB1) with high grade CAs after TAVI has been inconsistent. A recently published Expert Consensus Document classifies patients with AVB1 in the lowest risk group, allowing for discharge at day 1 post-TAVI. We aimed to study the risk of these patients of developing delayed high grade CAs requiring pacemaker implantation (PM). Methods We studied the development CAs in 1447 consecutive patients treated with Sapien 3 between January 2014 and December 2019. After excluding valve-in-valve procedures (n=30) and pts with previously implanted PM (n=167) 1254 patients remained for analysis. All patients were monitored for at least 7 days, as this was our institutional policy during the study period. We analyzed if pre-existing ECG abnormalities predict early and delayed (&gt;24h) high grade CAs with a multivariable logistic regression model. Results Of 1254 pts, 159 (12.5%) required a permanent PM after TAVI. In 104 (65%) CAs requiring PM occurred intraprocedural or during the first 48h while in the remaining 35% developed with more delay. We analyzed the presence of previous CAs in pts still free from indication for PM after the first 48h after TAVI (n=1150) in order to identify characteristics that may predict delayed PM requirement (Table). In the multivariable model not only RBBB (OR 5.42, CI95% 2.69–10.94, p&lt;0.0001) but also AVB1 was significantly associated to delayed high grade CAs requiring PM implantation (OR 2.25, CI95% 1.24–4.08, p=0.005). Conclusion In this study, in pts requiring PM implantation after TAVI, the high grade CAs occurred after 48h in 35% of patients. Not only RBBB but also AVB1 was an independent predictor of delayed high grade CAs. These results question the safety of considering patients with pre-existing AVB1 as low-risk patients and suggest a more prolonged monitoring also for them. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
OV Kopylova ◽  
NA Sirota ◽  
VM Yaltonsky

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Low adherence to healthy lifestyle and CVD preventive medical treatment is a seriouse problem in lowering of CVD morbidity and mortality. Using modern medical, psychological and remote technologies may help to increase patients" adherence. Purpose To study the efficacy of medical and psychological counselling using remote technologies in rising patients" adherence to CVD preventive treatment. Methods The study included 140 patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (RF CVD), who were divided into two comparable groups: group of medical and psychological counselling with the use of remote technologies (n = 70) and group of control (n = 70).  The study lastet 12 months. Level of adherence was measured via standard Morisky-Green"s 4-item questionnaire as well as via additional questionnaire developed by authors for this study. Results Comparative analysis of the level of adherence in the two groups did not reveal statistically significant differences at baseline. After 12 months, the experimental group showed a statistically significant increase in adherence to preventive treatment compared with the control group (р=0,001) Conclusion(s) Medical and psychological counselling using remote technologies is an effective method for rising patients" adherence to CVD preventive medical treatment


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