Long-term clinical outcome of persistent left bundle branch block after transfemoral aortic valve implantation

Objective The impact of persistent left bundle-branch block (pLBBB) on long-term clinical outcome remains to be determined. Background New-onset of pLBBB occurs frequently after transfemoral aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods Seven hundred and seven consecutive patients who underwent TAVI were analyzed for baseline and procedural characteristics and clinical outcome in an up to 2-year follow-up. Patients were divided into either a group with pLBBB until hospital discharge or a group without LBBB. We performed propensity-score matching and analyzed baseline characteristics, procedural data and clinical outcome of both groups. Patients received balloon-expandable valves in 56.4%, mechanically expandable valves in 37.5%, and self-expandable valves in 6.3%. Results A new-onset, pLBBB was observed in 47.5% of patients after TAVI. The implantation of a mechanically expandable valve was associated with higher rate of pLBBB (54.2% vs. 20.8%, P < 0.001), whereas implantation of a balloon-expandable valve was associated with lower incidence of pLBBB (39.8% vs. 73.1%, P < 0.001). Deeper ventricular implantation at left-coronary side led to higher rates of pLBBB (7.5 +/- 2.5 vs. 6.7 +/- 2.6 mm, P < 0.001). The occurrence of pLBBB was associated with higher rates of permanent pacemaker implantation (40.9% vs. 15.9%, P < 0.001). By multivariate analysis, implantation of a mechanically expandable valve (Boston Scientific Lotus valve) was identified as independent predictor of occurrence of pLBBB (odds ratio 4.7, confidence interval 3.2-7.0, P < 0.001). In the 2-year follow-up, there were no significant differences between pLBBB and no LBBB-groups regarding mortality and rehospitalization due to heart failure. Conclusions The occurrence of pLBBB is associated with the choice of valve type and implantation depth and requires significantly higher rates of permanent pacemaker implantations. Importantly, there are no differences in the 2-year follow-up regarding mortality and rehospitalization due to heart failure.