Pacemakers after valve replacement: Just because we can, should we?

• Authors: Michael Lloyd, Emory University
• Journal Title: JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
• Volume: Volume 33, Number 4
• Publisher: WILEY | 2022-02-01, Pages 586-588
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/jce.15374
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems; Cardiovascular System & Cardiology; heart block; pacemaker; valve replacement; IMPLANTATION

Abstract

Permanent pacemaker (PM) implantation after heart valve surgery continues to be an important postoperative complication (Figure 1). The mechanism, time course, and degree of permanence for significant conduction system impairment is poorly‐studied and poses challenges to the care of surgical patients. Posited mechanisms of injury include direct trauma, ischemia, or edema of the conduction system due to its proximity to the heart valves 1 (Figure 2).