Transient Heart Block
Transient heart block is common at the time of dehydrated alcohol, such as dehydrated alcohol injection into a septal artery. Prior to the injection, a temporary pacing wire is routinely inserted into the apex of the right ventricle, usually via the femoral vein, to treat transient heart block. The pacing lead can be removed if no episode of high-degree atrioventricular block occurs, usually after several hours of observation following percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation.
Persistent Heart Block
Approximately 10% of complete heart block events become permanent and require placement of a permanent pacemaker following percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation. Risk factors for permanent pacemaker dependency after septal ablation include a baseline PQ interval > 160 ms, baseline minimum heart rate < 50 bpm, baseline left ventricular outflow gradient > 70 mmHg, maximum QRS during the first 48 hours > 155 ms, 3rd degree atrio-ventricular block occurring during the procedure, and no clinical recovery between 12 to 48 hours after the procedure.
Risk Summary
The concentrations of alcohol in blood after PTSMA were not measured, but dehydrated alcohol injection, is not expected to increase significantly the systemic concentrations of endogenous alcohol following administration into a septal artery during percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation. Maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug.
Clinical Considerations
Dehydrated alcohol injection for percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation has not been evaluated in pregnant women and is not recommended during pregnancy. When possible, the percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation procedure should be postponed in women until the postpartum period.
Data
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and chronic fetal alcohol exposure is known to cause developmental defects in human. The developmental effects of acute ethanol exposure, such as from percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation, have not been studied in pregnant or lactating women.