Project description:Tricuspid valve (TV) surgery carries a high risk of atrioventricular block. In this report, we illustrate several options for managing conduction disorders after TV surgery. The choice of cardiac implantable devices must take account of several parameters such as surgical procedure, patient's rhythm and history, and etiology of TV disease. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).
Project description:Transvenous pacemakers may lead to wound site complications, such as hematomas and infections. Leadless pacemakers have eliminated these risks. However, when the central venous and/or cardiac anatomy are challenging, their implantation technique may require modification(s). Here, we discuss 3 cases of successful leadless pacemaker implantation in patients with a challenging anatomy. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).
Project description:BackgroundLeadless pacemakers (LPs) are implanted into the right ventricular septum, eliminating intravascular complications associated with traditional pacemakers. They attach to the myocardium using 4 curved, self-expanding nitinol tines.Case summaryOur case highlights the rare occurrence of LP dislodgement into the pulmonary artery and the delayed development of a traumatic right ventricular apical pseudoaneurysm.DiscussionLPs were designed to reduce the lead- and pocket-related complications that can be seen with conventional pacemakers. However, LPs carry a risk of dislodgement and embolization into the pulmonary artery compared with conventional pacemakers.Take-home messagesThis case explores the complexities and risks involved in both the implantation and retrieval of LPs in high-risk patient populations and highlights the importance of meticulous technique in retrieving an acutely embolized LP from the right PA.
Project description:BackgroundThe incidence of permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation is higher following mitral valve surgery (MVS) with ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with MVS alone.ObjectivesThis study identified risk factors and outcomes associated with PPM implantation in a randomized trial that evaluated ablation for AF in patients who underwent MVS.MethodsA total of 243 patients with AF and without previous PPM placement were randomly assigned to MVS alone (n = 117) or MVS + ablation (n = 126). Patients in the ablation group were further randomized to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) (n = 62) or the biatrial maze procedure (n = 64). Using competing risk models, this study examined the association among PPM and baseline and operative risk factors, and the effect of PPM on time to discharge, readmissions, and 1-year mortality.ResultsThirty-five patients received a PPM within the first year (14.4%), 29 (83%) underwent implantation during the index hospitalization. The frequency of PPM implantation was 7.7% in patients randomized to MVS alone, 16.1% in MVS + PVI, and 25% in MVS + biatrial maze. The indications for PPM were similar among patients who underwent MVS with and without ablation. Ablation, multivalve surgery, and New York Heart Association functional (NYHA) functional class III/IV were independent risk factors for PPM implantation. Length of stay post-surgery was longer in patients who received PPMs, but it was not significant when adjusted for randomization assignment (MVS vs. ablation) and age (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61 to 1.08; p = 0.14). PPM implantation did not increase 30-day readmission rate (HR: 1.43; 95% CI: 0.50 to 4.05; p = 0.50). The need for PPM was associated with a higher risk of 1-year mortality (HR: 3.21; 95% CI: 1.01 to 10.17; p = 0.05) after adjustment for randomization assignment, age, and NYHA functional class.ConclusionsAF ablation, multivalve surgery, and NYHA functional class III/IV were associated with an increased risk for permanent pacing. PPM implantation following MVS was associated with a significant increase in 1-year mortality. (Surgical Ablation Versus No Surgical Ablation for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Mitral Valve Surgery; NCT00903370).