Influence of QRS infarct score and QRS duration prior to transcatheter aortic valve replacement on follow-up left ventricular end systolic volume in patients with new persistent left bundle branch block

Background: New-onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a known complication during Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). This study evaluated the influence of pre-TAVR cardiac conditions on left ventricular functions in patients with new persistent LBBB post-TAVR. Methods: Only 11 patients qualified for this study because of the strict inclusion criteria. Pre-TAVR electrocardiograms were evaluated for Selvester QRS infarct score and QRS duration, and left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) was used as outcome variable. Results: There was a trend towards a positive correlation between QRS score and LVESV of r = 0.59 (p = 0.058), while there was no relationship between QRS duration and LVESV (r = 0.18[p = 0.59]). Conclusion: This study showed that patients with new LBBB and higher pre-TAVR QRS infarct score may have worse post-TAVR left ventricular function, however, pre-TAVR QRS duration has no such predictive value. Because of the small sample size these results should be interpreted with caution and assessed in a larger study population.