Introduction

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive treatment for aortic stenosis. Although significant advancements in the TAVI technique have been made, the risk of requiring a permanent pacemaker remains clinically relevant.

Aim

The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between peri-procedural blood count parameters and the risk of pacemaker implantation after TAVI.

Material and methods

The retrospective study analyzed 115 patients (median (Q1–Q3) age of 76.7 (73.5–81.9) years). Demographic and clinical data were collected. The counts of leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and platelets were assessed before the procedure, on the day of the procedure (8 hours after the procedure), 24, 48, and 72 hours after the procedure, and at hospital discharge. Pre-procedural and post-procedural heart rhythm disturbances have been recorded.

Results

The analysis showed a predominant increase in neutrophil and monocyte counts after the procedure, without differences between subgroups. Moreover, a decrease in lymphocyte counts was observed after TAVI; however, it was less pronounced in patients who required pacemaker implantation. Patients without heart rhythm disturbances experienced a greater decrease in their lymphocyte count. In the multivariable analysis, an increase in lymphocyte count after the procedure was an independent factor for pacemaker implantation (OR = 5.2, 95% CI: 1.6–16.3, p = 0.005).

Conclusions

After TAVI, increases in neutrophil and monocyte counts and decreases in lymphocyte counts are observed; however, the lymphocyte count decrease is less pronounced in patients with heart rhythm disturbances requiring pacemaker implantation. An increase in lymphocyte count after the procedure was independently associated with pacemaker implantation.