Management of antiplatelet therapy at the time of device implantation remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the risk of bleeding complications in patients receiving ticagrelor at the time of cardiac device surgery.

We performed a multicentre (N=4), retrospective study from January 2015 to January 2016. The survey included all patients (pts) treated with ticagrelor before undergoing pacemaker, implantable–cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation or generator replacement. We report haemorrhagic post-procedural complications at 1 month. A significant bleeding complication was defined as pocket hematoma requiring a surgical evacuation or prolonged hospitalization, hemothorax, pericardial effusion or tamponade.

A total of 20 patients underwent a permanent pacemaker or ICD implantation while taking a combination of antipatelet therapy with ticagrelor and aspirin. The mean age of the patients was 65±9 years, 95% were male, 25% of patients were diabetics, 55% had hypertension and 50% presented a history of heart failure. All the patients had a history of acute coronary syndrome (6 [4–26] months before the procedure). The majority of implanted devices were ICDs (17, 85%) with 5 single chamber, 4 dual chambers and 9 triple chambers ICDs. Subclavian venous approach was utilized in 9 patients. The mean duration of procedure was 60minutes. One per-procedure bleeding was described due to high venous pressure, without post-procedure hematoma. A post-procedure pocket hematoma has been experienced by one patient. The subclavian approach was used for the 2 patients. No blood transfusion was needed for these 2 cases.

Ticagrelor treatment at the time of heart rhythm device procedures does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of significant bleeding complications. In our study, 2 patients experienced non significant bleeding complications.