Permanent pacemaker implantation after combined mitral- and tricuspid valve surgery: a nationwide multicentre study.

Objectives: The threshold to perform concomitant tricuspid valve (TV) repair during primary mitral valve (MV) surgery has decreased, based on recent randomized evidence. Based on these developments, the indication for TV repair during MV surgery is expected to increase further. However, concerns have been raised regarding the risk of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) during a concomitant procedure. Therefore, we aim to assess the incidence of PPI in combined MV and TV surgery in a nationwide registry.

Methods: The current study uniquely cross-linked the Cardiothoracic and Pacemaker/ICD registry of the Netherlands Heart Registration. Patients undergoing primary MV and TV surgery (± atrial septal defect closure, rhythm surgery, coronary artery bypass grafting) between 1 January and 31 December2021 were included. The primary outcome was PPI within 30 days after surgery. Subgroup analyses were performed for isolated MV and TV surgery and MV repair. The association between concomitant TV surgery and PPI was assessed using multivariable binary logistic regression analyses.

Results: A total of 1060 patients (n = 833 MV, n = 227 MV + TV) were included. The overall incidence of PPI was 4.3%. No significant difference in PPI between MV and MV + TV surgery were found (3.7% vs 6.6%, P = 0.06). Concomitant TV surgery was not an independent risk factor for PPI after surgery after adjustment for covariates. These results were robust after sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions: The current study was not able to find a statistical difference between the PPI rate in MV surgery patients and MV + TV surgery patients. Extension of the waiting period prior to PPI, may result in decreased PPI rates.