Comparison of 30-day complications between a tine-based and a screw-in helix fixation single-chamber ventricular leadless pacemaker: Results of a propensity score–matched analysis from a multicenter, nationwide registry

Background: Medtronic Micra VR and Abbott Aveir VR are 2 single-chamber ventricular leadless pacemakers (L-PMs) currently available in clinical practice. They differ in their design, fixation mechanism (tine-based fixation for Micra VR, screw-in helix fixation for Aveir VR), and implantation technique. Few comparative safety data are available for these L-PMs. Objective: We aimed to compare the rate of acute procedure-related complications of patients undergoing Aveir VR vs Micra VR implantation. Methods: A prospective, multicenter, observational registry enrolled consecutive patients who underwent Aveir VR or Micra VR implantation. The rate and nature of device-related complications at 30-day follow-up were analyzed and compared between the groups. Individual 1:1 propensity score matching of baseline characteristics was performed. Results: A total of 1141 patients (75.9 ± 14.8 years; 60.2% male) were enrolled: 211 Aveir VR and 930 Micra VR. Propensity score matching yielded 189 matched pairs. In the matched cohort, the risk of device-related complications at 30 days of follow-up of the 2 L-PMs was similar (2.1% vs 2.1%; P = 1). Device migration (1.6% vs 0.5%; P = .315) and vascular complications (0.5% vs 1.1%; P = .562) were the most frequent complications, with no significant differences between the groups. Cardiac perforation was rare (1 case in the Micra VR group, no cases in the Aveir VR group). Conclusion: The risk of acute device-related complications associated with Aveir VR and Micra VR L-PM implantation was similar. These findings suggest that despite differences in design, fixation mechanism, and implantation technique, these 2 devices appear to have a similar short-term safety profile.