Bottom Line: The need for a patient to have a permanent pacemaker implanted while hospitalized after undergoing a transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a complication associated with worse survival and increased risk of more time spent in the hospital then and in the future.
Why The Research Is Interesting: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a common treatment for patients with severe narrowing of the aorta. Complications are a concern, in particular TAVR-related conduction disturbances and the need to have a permanent pacemaker implanted. Research on the impact of having a permanent pacemaker implanted has been inconsistent.
Authors: Harindra C. Wijeysundera, M.D., Ph.D., of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada, and coauthors
To Learn More: The full study is available on the For The Media website .
(doi:10.1001/jamnetworkopen.2018.0088)
Editor's Note: The article contains conflict of interest and funding support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
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About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is the new online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. Every Friday, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication.
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