A meta-analysis of the distance between lead-implanted site and tricuspid valve annulus with postoperative tricuspid regurgitation deterioration in patients with left bundle branch area pacing.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a known complication of cardiac implantable electrical devices (CIEDs), with prevalences ranging from 10% to as high as 30%. Despite left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has emerged as an alternative to the limits of His-bundle pacing (HBP), the long-term safety of this procedure, notably the worsening of TR after implantation, has yet to be thoroughly investigated. This meta-analysis sought to determine the frequency of post-LBBAP TR deterioration and identify the predictors, particularly the distance between lead-implanted site and the tricuspid valve annulus (lead-TA-distance). A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Europe PMC, and ScienceDirect for studies that reported the incidence of deterioration and measurement of TR grade at baseline and follow-up following LBBAP, in addition to the differences in exposure between short and long lead-TA-distances. A total of three studies involving 480 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The incidence of TR deterioration was 22%. Patients with TR deterioration also demonstrated a significantly shorter lead-TA-distance in comparison to the opposing group (MD: -5.74 mm (-0.70, -10.78); p < .001; I2 = 92.6%). The pooled results of three comparative studies suggest that participants in the longer lead-TA-distance group had a significant decrement in the likelihood of TR worsening (adjusted OR = 0.59 (0.36-0.96); p = .034; I2 = 79%). Multivariate analysis conducted in each of the included investigations supported the independence of the connection between lead-TA-distance and TR deterioration. A shorter lead-TA-distance was an independent risk factor for TR deterioration in individuals with post-LBBAP implantation.