Experts reach consensus on conduction disturbances after TAVR

It's the first step towards reducing the 'high degree of uncertainty' in managing such patients, authors say
Reuters Health Staff writer
female surgeon in theatre

Conduction disturbances associated with transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) require careful management, beginning with a risk evaluation before the procedure, according to an international expert consensus statement.

The scientific expert panel assembled by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has produced a consensus document, along with proposed algorithms, as an initial attempt to guide the management of conduction disturbances after TAVR based on the best available data.

Currently there is a “high degree of uncertainty” regarding the most appropriate treatment of patients with conduction disturbances – the most common complication of TAVR, the authors write.

There are also “major differences” in pacemaker rates post-procedure across centres and research studies.