Sign in Subscribe
Medical equipment

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement Leads to Functional Changes in Cardiac Device Leads

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study published in the journal Europace has highlighted the potential risks associated with transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) in patients with pre-existing cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Researchers from the Mayo Clinic Rochester conducted a retrospective observational study to evaluate the impact of TTVR on CIED lead function in 32 consecutive patients. The results showed that 10 (31%) of patients developed lead function changes, primarily affecting the right ventricular lead, during a median device follow-up of 210 days.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 32 patients with a mean age of 79.2 years, 59% of whom were female, and the majority (62.5%) had a permanent pacemaker.
  • The most common lead change observed was R-wave sensing changes, affecting 55% of cases, and in 67% of these cases, the changes were isolated and managed conservatively.
  • Four patients (13%) had findings concerning for a lead insulation breach, in which one (3%) required a lead revision.
  • The study's findings suggest potential subclinical lead degradation, as two patients with follow-up exceeding 600 days exhibited a statistically significant gradual decline in impedance.
  • The research emphasizes the need for future studies to focus on refining implantation techniques and defining optimal strategies for managing device-lead interactions in this population.
  • Ammar M. Killu and colleagues from the Mayo Clinic Rochester conducted the study, which was published in the journal Europace.

Statistics:

  • 10 (31%) of patients developed lead function changes during the study.
  • 55% of cases exhibited R-wave sensing changes.
  • 67% of R-wave sensing changes were isolated findings without significant changes in impedance or thresholds.
  • 4 (13%) patients had findings concerning for a lead insulation breach.
  • 1 (3%) patient required a lead revision for insulation breach.
  • 2 patients with follow-up exceeding 600 days exhibited a statistically significant gradual decline in impedance.

Sources:

  • Europace, 2025;27(10)
  • Oxford Univ Press, Great Clarendon St, Oxford OX2 6DP, England
  • NewsRx. New Obesity, Fitness and Wellness Study Findings Recently Were Reported by Researchers at Mayo Clinic Rochester (Device-lead abnormalities and function after transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement). Medical Devices & Surgical Technology Week. November 2, 2025; p 1050.

Read more