Targeting inflammation to prevent conduction injuries following TAVI: A systematic review and meta-analysis of glucocorticoid therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac conduction disturbances are common after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and frequently require permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI), associated with worse outcomes. Glucocorticoids have been proposed to reduce conduction injury by limiting inflammation and edema. AIMS: To assess whether peri-procedural glucocorticoid therapy reduces conduction complications compared to standard care in TAVI patients. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis following Cochrane Handbook and PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched through 2026. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies evaluating peri-procedural glucocorticoids in adults undergoing TAVI were included. Random-effects models estimated pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Nine studies (8841 patients) were analyzed. Glucocorticoid therapy did not reduce pacemaker implantation (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.73-1.14), new-onset left bundle branch block (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.71-1.24), or acute kidney injury (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.69-1.74). Mortality did not differ between groups (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.61-1.45). Conversely, glucocorticoids were associated with increased bleeding (RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.01-1.90) and vascular complications (RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.36-2.55). CONCLUSION: Peri-procedural glucocorticoid therapy does not reduce conduction-related complications following TAVI and is associated with increased bleeding and vascular complications. These findings suggest caution regarding routine glucocorticoid use in contemporary TAVI practice.