Methods
We reviewed a consecutive series of 260 patients available from our institution’s BAV database extending from 2005 to 2010. Only those patients without preoperative PPM were included in this analysis. Baseline and postoperative 12-lead ECGs were reviewed for AV conduction defects. The incidence of temporary (TPM) and permanent (PPM) pacemaker insertion was noted. New AV conduction abnormalities were correlated with maximal balloon diameters, maximal balloon to left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter ratio and number of balloon inflations.
Methods
We reviewed a consecutive series of 260 patients available from our institution’s BAV database extending from 2005 to 2010. Only those patients without preoperative PPM were included in this analysis. Baseline and postoperative 12-lead ECGs were reviewed for AV conduction defects. The incidence of temporary (TPM) and permanent (PPM) pacemaker insertion was noted. New AV conduction abnormalities were correlated with maximal balloon diameters, maximal balloon to left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter ratio and number of balloon inflations.
Results
A total of 76 patients without prior PPM had preoperative and 12–48-h postoperative ECGs available for review. No patients in the entire 260 patient database required PPM implantation postoperatively for new AV conduction abnormalities. Five of the 76 patients (6.6%) developed new AV conduction defects: one (1.3%) developed temporary complete heart block (CHB), three (3.9%) left bundle branch black (LBBB) and one (1.3%) primary AV block. The single CHB required TPM for 24 h and no PPM. This patient had preexisting bifascicular disease with RBBB and LAHB likely enhancing risk for CHB ( Table 1 ).
