Project title: Randomized control trial to assess the clinical utility of extended 1-month cardiac rhythm monitoring after TAVI (CONDUCT-TAVI II)
Lead researchers: Professor Ravinay Bhindi, Dr Karan Rao
Funding: Jan 2025 – Dec 2026

Every year, countless individuals with severe aortic stenosis undergo Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), a life-saving procedure. While TAVI offers a less invasive alternative to open-heart surgery, it carries a risk: delayed heart block, a potentially serious complication that can require a pacemaker.

Thanks to the generous support of our donors, researchers Prof. Ravinay Bhindi and Dr. Karen Rao have already made significant strides in understanding this risk through their study on predicting patients at risk of heart block after TAVI (CONDUCT-TAVI). This ground-breaking research, funded by Heart Research Australia, has revealed that the first month post-TAVI is a critical period, with a 10-15% chance of heart rhythm disturbances. This crucial finding highlights the need for better monitoring and early intervention.

Now, we have the opportunity to take this research to the next level. Prof. Bhindi and Dr. Rao are proposing a new, impactful study to test the effectiveness of a simple, wearable heart rhythm monitor for patients in that crucial first month after TAVI. This innovative approach offers a practical and cost-effective way to detect delayed heart block earlier, potentially preventing serious complications and improving patient outcomes.

Heart Research Australia are funding the randomised controlled trial involving 266 patients. By comparing standard care with the use of a wearable monitor, this study will determine if this simple intervention can significantly reduce the risk of delayed complications, leading to fewer hospital readmissions and a better quality of life for TAVI patients. The findings could lead to practice changes in TAVI management, enabling same-day discharge and reducing hospital congestion while improving patient safety and treatment efficacy

Imagine the impact – fewer patients facing unexpected complications, reduced strain on our hospitals, and a more streamlined, effective TAVI care pathway.