BACKGROUND: There is a close anatomical relationship between the aortic valve annulus and the conduction system. Therefore, atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction disorders may occur as a result of inflammation, edema and mechanical stress caused by the metallic struts of the CoreValve bioprosthesis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction disorders after percutaneous CoreValve implantation METHOD: Between January 2008 and April 2010, 23 patients with aortic stenosis were submitted to CoreValve bioprosthesis implantation. Mean age was 81 ± 8.3 years and 12 (52.1%) patients were male RESULTS: After valve implantation, the following atrioventricular conduction disorders were observed: 3 (13%) complete atrioventricular blocks, 2 (8.7%) 2nd degree atrioventricular blocks and 8 (34.8%) 1st degree atrioventricular blocks, of which 4 (17.4%) were new and 4 were preexisting. Therefore, advanced conduction disorders, such as 2nd degree atrioventricular block and/or complete atrioventricular block were observed in 5 (21.7%) patients. As to post-implant intraventricular conduction disorders, 14 (60.9%) left bundle branch blocks were observed, 2 (8.7%) of them with alternating right bundle branch block and left bundle branch block. In this series, 7 (30.4%) patients received a permanent pacemaker, 6 (26.1%) of them with absolute indication. All of the patients with right bundle branch block before the procedure required permanent pacemaker implantation CONCLUSION: Atrioventricular conduction disorders and, specially, left bundle branch block are common after percutaneous implantation of the CoreValve prosthesis. Permanent pacemaker is required in approximately one fourth of the cases. The presence of pre-implant right bundle branch block is related to a greater risk of developing advanced conduction disorders.
Aortic valve stenosis; Heart valve prosthesis; Pacemaker, artificial; Heart block
