Loss of left ventricular component of biventricular pacing with low atrial rhythm, what is the mechanism?

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) using biventricular pacing is an established therapy for impairment of left ventricular (LV) systolic function in patients with heart failure (HF). Although technological advances have improved outcomes in patients undergoing biventricular pacing, the optimal placement of pacing leads remains challenging, and approximately one third of patients have no response to CRT. This may be due to patient selection and lead placement. Electrical mapping can greatly improve outcomes in CRT and increase the number of patients who derive benefit from the procedure. MultiPoint™ pacing (St Jude Medical, St Paul, MN, US) using a quadripolar lead increases the possibility of finding the best pacing site. In clinical studies, use of MultiPoint pacing in HF patients undergoing CRT has been associated with haemodynamic and clinical benefits compared with conventional biventricular pacing, and these benefits have been sustained at 12 months. This article describes the proceedings of a satellite symposium held at the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Europace conference held in Milan, Italy, in June 2015.

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Three dimensional echocardiography documents haemodynamic improvement by biventricular pacing in patients with severe heart failure

Heart ◽

10.1136/hrt.85.5.514 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 85 (5) ◽

pp. 514-520

Author(s):

W Y Kim ◽

P Søgaard ◽

P T Mortensen ◽

H Kjærulf Jensen ◽

A Kirstein Pedersen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Biventricular Pacing ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Short Term ◽

Bundle Branch Block ◽

Patients With Heart Failure ◽

Dimensional Echocardiography ◽

Three Dimensional Echocardiography

OBJECTIVESTo quantify the short term haemodynamic effects of biventricular pacing in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block by using three dimensional echocardiography.DESIGNThree dimensional echocardiography was performed in 15 consecutive heart failure patients (New York Heart Association functional class III or IV) with an implanted biventricular pacing system. Six minute walk tests were performed to investigate the effect of biventricular pacing on exercise capacity. Data were acquired at sinus rhythm and after short term (2–7 days) biventricular pacing.RESULTSCompared with baseline values, biventricular pacing significantly reduced left ventricular end diastolic volume (EDV) by mean (SD) 4.0 (5.1)% (p < 0.01) and end systolic volume (ESV) by 5.6 (6.4)% (p < 0.02). Mitral regurgitant fraction was significantly reduced by 11 (12.1)% (p < 0.003) and forward stroke volume (FSV) increased by 13.9 (18.6)% (p < 0.02). Exercise capacity was significantly improved with biventricular pacing by 48.4 (43.3)% (p < 0.00001). Regression analyses showed that the percentage increase in FSV independently predicted percentage improvement in walking distance (r2 = 0.73, p < 0.0002). Both basal QRS duration and QRS narrowing predicted pacing efficacy, showing a significant correlation with %ΔEDV, %ΔESV, and %ΔFSV.CONCLUSIONSIn five of 15 consecutive patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block, biventricular pacing induced a more than 15% increase in FSV, which predicted a more than 25% increase in walking distance and was accompanied by an immediate reduction in left ventricular chamber size and mitral regurgitation.

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