Bioprosthetic tricuspid valve dysfunction in patients with transvalvular or epicardial pacing leads.

Background: Dysfunction of native tricuspid valves due to transvenous pacing leads is well described. Patients with bioprosthetic tricuspid valve (BTV) who need ventricular pacing are often advised epicardial lead placement to avoid potential damage to the BTV although there are no data to support this.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of BTV dysfunction in patients with permanent transvenous right ventricular pacemaker lead and compare it to patients with epicardial leads.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients with BTV with ventricular pacing lead was conducted. Demographics, lead, BTV, and echocardiographic data were collected. Frequency of BTV dysfunction (moderate or severe) regurgitation or stenosis was compared between epicardial and transvalvular lead groups.

Results: Forty-six patients with BTV and ventricular pacing lead (20 transvalvular and 26 epicardial leads) were identified. Mean age was 46 years with the majority being female (85%) and with rheumatic heart disease (87%). Both groups were similar in age, sex, and indications for BTV. Mean echocardiographic follow-up was for 5.5 years (±4.1 years). BTV dysfunction was similar between the transvalvular group with six (30%) patients and the epicardial group with five (19.2%) patients. The incidence of BTV dysfunction was greater in patients in sinus rhythm compared to patients in atrial fibrillation (50% vs 10%, P  =  0.004).

Conclusion: Development of BTV dysfunction is similar in patients with transvalvular ventricular leads and epicardial leads. The incidence of BTV dysfunction was higher in patients with sinus rhythm compared to atrial fibrillation.