scholarly journals Prospective evaluation of the learning curve and electrical characteristics of left bundle branch area pacing

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
L I B Heckman ◽  
J G L M Luermans ◽  
M Jastrzebski ◽  
A M W Stipdonk ◽  
S Westra ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has recently been introduced as a physiological pacing technique with a synchronous ventricular activation. Objective To prospectively evaluate the feasibility and learning curve, as well as the electrical characteristics of LBBAP. Methods In 80 consecutive LBBAP pacemaker patients, ECG characteristics during intrinsic rhythm, RV septum pacing (RVSP) and LBBAP were evaluated. From the ECG's QRS duration and LVAT (stimulus to V6 R-wave peak time, RWPT) were measured. Also, the left bundle branch potential (LBBpot) to V6 RWPT interval was measured and compared to the LVAT. After conversion of the ECG into VCG (Kors conversion matrix), QRS area, as measurement for electrical dyssynchrony, was calculated. Results Permanent lead implantation was successful in 77/80 patients (96%) undergoing an attempt at LBBAP. LBBAP lead implantation time as well as fluoroscopy time were significantly shorter during last 25% of implantation compared to first 25% of implantations (17±5 min vs. 33±16 min and 12±7 min vs. 21±13 min, respectively, panel A and B). LBB capture was obtained in 54/80 patients (68%). In 36/45 patients (80%) with intact AV conduction and narrow QRS an LBBpot was present. The mean interval between the LBBpot and the onset of QRS was 22±6 ms. In the patients with narrow QRS (n=45), QRS duration increased significantly during both RVSP (139±24 ms) and LBBAP (123±21 ms), compared to intrinsic rhythm (95±13 ms). QRS area on the other hand, increased during both RVSP (73±20 μVs) but decreased during LBBAP (41±15 μVs), to values close to intrinsic rhythm (32±16 μVs, panel C). For all patients, QRS area was significantly lower in patients with LBB capture compared to patients without capture (43±18 μVs vs 54±21 μVs, respectively). In patients with LBB capture (n=54), LVAT was significantly shorter compared to patients without LBB capture (75±14 vs. 88±9 ms, respectively). In the patients with LBB capture, there was a significant correlation between the LBBpot – V6 RWPT and S – V6 RWPT intervals (Pearson correlation 0.739, P<0.001). Conclusion LBBAP is a safe and feasible technique, with a clear learning curve that seems obtained after ± 40–60 implantations. LBB capture is obtained in two-thirds of patients. Although QRS duration remains prolonged, LBBAP largely restores ventricular electrical synchrony to values close to intrinsic (narrow QRS) rhythm. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
LIB Heckman ◽  
JGK Luermans ◽  
K Curila ◽  
AMW Van Stipdonk ◽  
S Westra ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has recently been introduced as a novel physiological pacing strategy. Within LBBAP, distinction is made between left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) and left ventricular septal pacing (LVSP, no left bundle capture). Objective To compare acute electrocardiographic (ECG) and vectorcardiographic (VCG) effects of LBBP and LVSP as compared to intrinsic conduction. Methods In 50 patients with normal cardiac function and pacemaker indication for bradycardia, ECG characteristics of LBBP and LVSP were evaluated during RVSP and pacing at various depths in the septum: starting at the RV side of the septum: the last position with QS morphology, the first position with r’ morphology, LVSP and – in patients where LBB capture was achieved – LBBP. From the ECG’s QRS duration and QRS morphology in V1, and the stimulus-LVAT interval were measured. After conversion of the ECG into VCG (Kors conversion matrix), QRS area was calculated. Results In LVSP, QRS area significantly decreased from 82 ± 29 µVs during RVSP to 46 ± 12 µVs during LVSP. In patients where LBB capture was achieved QRS area significantly decreased from 78 ± 23 µVs to 38 ± 15 µVs in LBBP. In patients with LBB capture, QRS area was significantly smaller during LBBP compared to LVSP (figure A), but LVAT was not significantly different (figure B, p = 0.138). In patients with normal ventricular activation where LBBP was achieved (n = 20), QRS area was significantly larger during LVSP (48 ± 17) compared to LBBP (37 ± 16), the latter being not significantly different from normal intrinsic ventricular activation (35 ± 19 µVs). Conclusions ECG and VCG indices demonstrate that ventricular dyssynchrony is comparable but slightly more synchronous during LBBP compared to LVSP. Abstract Figure. QRS area and S-LVAT in LVSP and LBBP


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 822
Author(s):  
Luuk I.B. Heckman ◽  
Justin G.L.M. Luermans ◽  
Karol Curila ◽  
Antonius M.W. Van Stipdonk ◽  
Sjoerd Westra ◽  
...  

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has recently been introduced as a novel physiological pacing strategy. Within LBBAP, distinction is made between left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) and left ventricular septal pacing (LVSP, no left bundle capture). Objective: To investigate acute electrophysiological effects of LBBP and LVSP as compared to intrinsic ventricular conduction. Methods: Fifty patients with normal cardiac function and pacemaker indication for bradycardia underwent LBBAP. Electrocardiography (ECG) characteristics were evaluated during pacing at various depths within the septum: starting at the right ventricular (RV) side of the septum: the last position with QS morphology, the first position with r’ morphology, LVSP and—in patients where left bundle branch (LBB) capture was achieved—LBBP. From the ECG’s QRS duration and QRS morphology in lead V1, the stimulus- left ventricular activation time left ventricular activation time (LVAT) interval were measured. After conversion of the ECG into vectorcardiogram (VCG) (Kors conversion matrix), QRS area and QRS vector in transverse plane (Azimuth) were determined. Results: QRS area significantly decreased from 82 ± 29 µVs during RV septal pacing (RVSP) to 46 ± 12 µVs during LVSP. In the subgroup where LBB capture was achieved (n = 31), QRS area significantly decreased from 46 ± 17 µVs during LVSP to 38 ± 15 µVs during LBBP, while LVAT was not significantly different between LVSP and LBBP. In patients with normal ventricular activation and narrow QRS, QRS area during LBBP was not significantly different from that during intrinsic activation (37 ± 16 vs. 35 ± 19 µVs, respectively). The Azimuth significantly changed from RVSP (−46 ± 33°) to LVSP (19 ± 16°) and LBBP (−22 ± 14°). The Azimuth during both LVSP and LBBP were not significantly different from normal ventricular activation. QRS area and LVAT correlated moderately (Spearman’s R = 0.58). Conclusions: ECG and VCG indices demonstrate that both LVSP and LBBP improve ventricular dyssynchrony considerably as compared to RVSP, to values close to normal ventricular activation. LBBP seems to result in a small, but significant, improvement in ventricular synchrony as compared to LVSP.


EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Zizek ◽  
B Antolic ◽  
D Zavrl-Dzananovic ◽  
L Klemen ◽  
M Jan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Atrioventricular (AV) node ablation with biventricular (BiV) pacemaker implantation is a feasible rate control strategy for symptomatic permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular response and tachycardia-induced heart failure (HF). However, certain controversy exists since BiV pacing delivers non-physiological ventricular resynchronization and does not return left ventricular (LV) activation times to those seen in individuals with intrinsically narrow QRS. Permanent His bundle pacing (HBP) is a physiological alternative to conventional and BiV pacing. By capturing the native conduction system, depolarization of the ventricles through the His-Purkinje system induces normal synchronous ventricular activation. Purpose The aim of the study was to compare short-term outcomes between BiV pacing and HBP after AV node ablation in HF patients with symptomatic permanent AF and narrow QRS. Methods A total of 25 consecutive HF patients with permanent AF and narrow QRS (≤110 ms) who underwent AV node ablation in conjunction with BiV pacing or HBP in our centre were enrolled. Post-implant QRS duration, echocardiographic data, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class were assessed in short-term follow-up. Results Among 25 HF patients (aged 68 ± 7 years, 52% female, QRS 96 ± 9 ms, LVEF 37 ± 7%, NYHA II-IV), 13 received BiV pacing and 12 HBP. Implant and ablation procedures were acutely successful in both groups. In BiV group 1 patient had a LV lead dislodgement and 1 patient in the HBP group had an acute HB lead threshold increase after AV node ablation. In HBP group post-implant QRS duration was shorter compared to BiV (103 ± 15 ms vs. 177 ± 13 ms, p < 0.001). At a median follow-up of 6 months, patients treated with HBP had greater increase in LV ejection fraction compared to BiV (44 ± 10 vs. 37 ± 6, p = 0.045). A trend toward greater reduction of LV volumes (EDV 119 ± 54 ml vs. 153 ± 33 ml, p = 0.07; ESV 75 ± 34 ml vs. 97 ± 26 ml, p = 0.09) and improvement of NYHA class (2.1 ± 0.7 vs. 2.7 ± 0.8, p = 0.08) was also observed in HBP group compared to BiV group. Conclusion In rate control refractory HF patients with permanent AF and narrow QRS atrioventricular node ablation in conjunction with HBP demonstrated superior electrical resynchronization and greater increase in LV ejection fraction compared to BiV pacing. Larger prospective studies are warranted to address clinical outcomes between both pace and ablate strategies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianping Chen ◽  
Xu Geng ◽  
Yaxing Fang ◽  
Yuchun Yin ◽  
Naiju Zhang

Abstract Background This study investigated the predictive value of preoperative QRS duration (ORSd) in responsiveness of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients with pacemaker indications to the left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP). Methods Thirty-one CHF patients with cardiac function categorized as NYHA class II or above and indications for pacemaker therapy who successfully underwent LBBAP treatment were enrolled in this study. Based on the 12-month postoperative responsiveness to treatment, patients were divided into a responsiveness group (n=18) and a no-responsiveness group (n=13). Data from all patients were collected for analysis. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent factors associated with the responsiveness to LBBAP treatment. Results Among the 31 patients with LBBAP, 16 patients (51.6%) responded to the treatment, and 15 patients (48.4%) had no response. There were significant differences between these two groups with regard to complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB), preoperative QRSd, and preoperative left ventricular peak time (LVAT). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that CLBBB, preoperative QRSd, and preoperative LVAT were all significantly correlated with responsiveness to LBBAP. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that ORSd was an independent predictor of responsiveness to LBBAP. The maximum area under the ROC curve for QRSd was 0.827, the maximum Youden index was 0.679, with the optimal cutoff point of QRSd ≥ 153 ms, a sensitivity of 81.3%, and a specificity of 86.7%. Conclusion Preoperative ORSd predicts the responsiveness of CHF patients with pacemaker indications to LBBAP.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Arceluz ◽  
D Frankel ◽  
C Tschabrunn ◽  
P Santangeli ◽  
P Bravo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Low QRS amplitude (QRSa), QRS fractionation (QRSf) and longer QRS duration (QRSd) are markers of myocardial fibrosis and inflammation in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM). Objective To determine if reduction of inflammation with treatment of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) may reverse these 12 lead ECG parameter changes. Methods 21 patients (pts) with CS and VT ablation with a positive baseline positron emission tomographic (PET 1) scan were studied. All pts received prednisone ≥40 mg for 4 to 8 weeks followed by a taper and maintenance with methotrexate ± low-dose prednisone, <10 mg/day, until clinically stable and resolution of inflammation on PET 2 one year after initial. In addition, pts with low LV ejection fraction (13/21) received guideline directed medical therapy for heart failure. Pts at 1yr with positive PET2 (9) were compared to those with negative PET2 (12). Baseline and 1yr 12-lead ECGs were analyzed for QRSd, ≥2QRSf contiguous leads and QRSa in the limb leads. Results Pts in PET2(+) vs PET2(−) groups has similar gender (men 89% vs 100%, p=0.42), age (57±8 vs 56±10 years, p=0.8) and LV ejection fraction (41±11 vs 46±11, p=0.31). Baseline 12-lead ECGs showed similar QRSd, ≥2QRSf contiguous leads and QRSa for PET2(+) vs PET2(−); P all >0.15 (Table 1). At 1 yr there was a lower prevalence of ≥2QRSf contiguous leads and strong trend for shorter QRS duration and larger QRSa in lead DI if PET2(−) vs PET2(+). 4 pts demonstrated loss of QRSf 2 contiguous leads and/or increase in QRSa in DI by at least 0.15 mV from baseline if PET2(−) and none if PET2(+). Conclusions In pts with CS and VT, reversal of inflammation may result in a greater QRSa and reduction in QRSf. An increase in QRSa in lead 1 by >0.15mV and/or loss of QRSf identifies a clear positive response to treatment and negative PET at 1 year. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Richard T and Angela Clark Innovation Fund in Cardiovascular Medicine, the Mark S Marchlinski EP Research and Education Fund and the Winkelman Family Fund in Cardiovascular Innovation. Table 1


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