Short-term effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on QT dispersion.

BACKGROUND/AIM Electrophysiological changes are observed following mechanical stretches due to pressure overload in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). The electrical instability occurs after depolarization and dispersion of repolarization. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in ventricular repolarization following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). MATERIALS AND METHODS Thestudypopulationincluded 100 consecutive patients with severe AS thatunderwent TAVI. Electrocardiography (ECG) was performed at baseline, immediately after TAVI, and 1 week after TAVI. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 78.2 ± 7.2 years. Thirty-four (34%) of the patients were male and 66 (66%) were female. Compared to the baseline, mean QT dispersion (QTd) immediately after TAVI and 1 week after TAVI decreased significantly (82.8 ± 26.5,75.6 ± 25.2, and 65.8 ± 28.3, respectively, P < 0.001). Likewise, compared to the baseline, mean corrected QTd (QTcd) immediately after TAVI and 1 week after TAVI decreased significantly (84.7 ± 25.2, 76.7 ± 30.8, and 69.1 ± 31.4, respectively, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION QTd is indicative of heterogeneity of ventricular refractoriness and is prolonged in patients with AS. Following TAVI, a decrease in QTd might reduce the risk of ventricular arrhythmia in patients with severe AS.