Systematic Ambulatory ECG Monitoring Following TAVI

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established treatment for severe aortic stenosis. Despite advances in transcatheter heart valve technology and procedural techniques, conduction disturbances remain among the most frequent complications following TAVI. High-grade atrioventricular block, complete heart block, and new-onset bundle branch block may occur after the procedure and can lead to delayed permanent pacemaker implantation or life-threatening arrhythmic events. The increasing adoption of minimalist TAVI pathways with hospital discharge within 24-72 hours raises concerns that clinically significant arrhythmias may develop after discharge and remain undetected.

Ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring provides continuous rhythm surveillance during daily activities and enables the early detection of both symptomatic and asymptomatic bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias. Previous observational studies have demonstrated that clinically significant bradyarrhythmias occur in approximately 5-10% of patients during the first weeks after TAVI, particularly among those with baseline or new-onset conduction abnormalities. Ambulatory ECG monitoring has also identified previously unrecognized atrial fibrillation, allowing timely initiation of anticoagulation therapy in patients at high risk of thromboembolic events.

Although several prospective studies have evaluated ambulatory ECG monitoring after TAVI, most have been observational and were designed primarily to describe the incidence of post-procedural arrhythmias rather than to assess their impact on clinical outcomes. Preliminary evidence from the RECORD pilot study suggested that systematic ambulatory ECG monitoring after hospital discharge was associated with earlier identification and treatment of clinically significant arrhythmias and a reduction in the composite of sudden death, symptomatic arrhythmic events, and stroke during 1-year follow-up, with the greatest benefit observed among patients with conduction abnormalities at hospital discharge.

This randomized trial has been designed to provide definitive evidence regarding the clinical value of systematic ambulatory ECG monitoring after TAVI in patients at increased risk of post-procedural conduction disturbances. The study will evaluate whether early detection and management of clinically significant arrhythmias can improve clinical outcomes during the year following the procedure.

Inclusion criteria

• Age >18 years
• Successful TAVI procedure.
• Hospitalization discharge ≤72 hrs following the TAVI procedure.
• Presence of at least 1 ECG abnormality at hospital discharge (QRS ≥120 ms OR PR ≥200 ms)

Exclusion criteria

• Pacemaker implantation (pre- TAVI or during hospitalization after the procedure).
• TAVI valve-in-valve procedure
• Any complication or logistic reason precluding hospital discharge ≤72 hrs following the TAVI procedure.
• Impossibility to obtain signed informed consent.