The Pattern of Pacemaker Induced Tricuspid Regurgitation

Objective: To determine the frequency and significance of tricuspid regurgitation in patients who underwent a single lead permanent pacemaker implantation. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted at Queen Alia Heart Institute in Amman- Jordan during the period 2006 to 2009. A group of 67 patients who had a single lead permanent pacemaker implantation in that period was involved in the study. For each patient a transthorasic two dimensional echocardiography was done 6 - 12 months after insertion of the pacemaker; checking for the presence of tricuspid regurgitation and its degree. Results: Males constituted 68.7% of the study sample. The majority (91%) of patients in the study group had their permanent pacemaker due to complete heart block. Tricuspid regurgitation following insertion of permanent pacemaker was found to be mild in the majority (92.5%) of patients. Significant and gross tricuspid regurgitation was not common and found only in males. Conclusion: Tricuspid regurgitation after permanent pacemaker is usually mild in short term follow up. However echocardiography check up is recommended to monitor the degree of tricuspid regurgitation progression in chronic term particularly in the elderly males and smokers.