P. Rucinski

Inflammatory activation following interruption of long-term cardiac resynchronization therapy

Previous observations suggest that cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may exert an anti-inflammatory effect. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of temporary interruption of long-term CRT on plasma concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The study group consisted of 54 patients (32 male and 22 female, mean age 64 years) with chronic heart failure (HF) treated with CRT. BNP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and neopterin were measured three times: after 26–28 weeks of continuous CRT (CRT-on), 48 h after its cessation (CRT-off), and 48 h after switching the CRT-on again. CRT interruption resulted in a significant worsening of left ventricular systolic function: reduction of cardiac output (CO), dP/dt, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), as well as deterioration of mitral regurgitation in the CRT responder group. A significant increase in serum concentrations of hs-CRP, neopterin, IL-6, and BNP was noted in this subpopulation. In CRT nonresponders, no significant changes were observed. In responders the changes in serum concentrations of hs-CRP, IL-6, neopterin, and BNP, following CRT interruption, significantly correlated with the respective changes in thoracic fluid content (TFC) and inversely correlated with LVEF changes. Even short (48 h) interruption of long-term CRT led to a significant increase of proinflammatory cytokines and BNP concentrations in responders. The changes in hs-CRP, IL-6, neopterin, and BNP concentrations correlated with the change in TFC-marker of pulmonary congestion and inversely correlated with the change in LVEF.

Atrial lead location at the Bachmann's bundle region results in a low incidence of far field R-wave sensing

AIMS The aim of the study was to investigate far field R-wave sensing (FFRS) rate and characteristics at different right atrial (RA) positions in patients treated with multisite atrial pacing, with the RA lead implanted at the Bachmanns bundle (BB) area in 69 patients, in comparison to RA appendage (RAA) in 70 patients. METHODS AND RESULTS All measurements were done during sinus rhythm in supine patients, with unipolar (UP) and bipolar (BP) sensing configuration. The presence, amplitude threshold (FFRS trsh) and FFRS timing were determined. Sensing safety margin was defined as the ratio of sensed P-wave vs. FFRS trsh, for both the minimal (Pmin) and the mean (Pmean) P-wave amplitude. At both atrial locations BP sensing was superior to UP in FFRS rejection (P < 0.0001). At 0.5 mV sensitivity level (BP) FFRS occurred in 1% of patients at the BB site vs. 11% at the RAA (P = 0.01). FFRS trsh (BP) was 0.2 +/- 0.1 mV at the BB vs. 0.4 +/- 0.3 mV in the RAA position (P < 0.0001). Sensing safety margin, when determined for the Pmin amplitude was > or =5 in 99% of patients from the BB group, in comparison to 66% of RAA patients (P < 0.0001), in whom it was <2 in 13%. Even with the use of BP leads equipped with a 10 mm tip-to-ring spacing FFRS incidence was lower at the BB site (P < 0.01), FFRS trsh was lower (P < 0.001), and sensing safety margin was higher vs. RAA (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION Bachmanns bundle area features optimal conditions for signal sensing, and such atrial lead positioning may offer advantages to prevent oversensing of R-wave, thus improving functioning of standard dual chamber pacemakers, ICDs and CRT-Ds.

Biventricular versus right ventricular pacing decreases immune activation and augments nitric oxide production in patients with chronic heart failure

Immune system activation and oxidative stress are involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF). We aimed to test the hypothesis that upgrading from right ventricular pacing (RVp) to biventricular pacing (BiVp) can counteract these phenomena.

Comparison of the acute hemodynamic effect of right ventricular apex, outflow tract, and dual-site right ventricular pacing.

Background: We studied the acute effect of pacing at the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), right ventricular apex (RVA) and simultaneous RVA and RVOT—dual‐site right ventricular pacing (DuRV) in random order on systolic function using impedance cardiography.

Pharmacotherapy changes following pacemaker implantation in patients with bradycardia–tachycardia syndrome

The management of bradycardia–tachycardia syndrome (BTS) includes bradycardia and tachyarrhythmia therapy. At present, the treatment for symptomatic bradycardia in BTS patients is permanent cardiac pacing. The pharmacological treatment of atrial tachyarrhythmias comprises of rhythm and rate control, and prevention of thromboembolism. Patients with BTS often require both pacemaker and drug therapy. This article reviews the interactions of pacing and drug therapies in BTS. Drugs that alter cardiac electrophysiological properties may influence pacemaker indications, pacing mode selection, efficacy of pacing algorithms and pacing performance. Pacing by preventing drug-induced bradycardia increases the safety of pharmacotherapy and, thus, allows the intensification of those treatments. Pacing therapy and antiarrhythmic drugs used together as a hybrid therapy have a synergistic effect in the prevention of atrial tachyarrhythmias. Atrial-based pacing may reduce atrial tachyarrhythmia burden, allowing reduction of rhythm and rate control. Contemporary pacemakers’ memory functions may help guide rhythm and rate control, as well as anticoagulation pharmacotherapy.

CRT47: WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE HEMODYNAMIC IMPROVEMENT AFTER RIGHT VENTRICULAR TO BIVENTRICULAR PACING SYSTEM UPGRADE?

It is still hard to predict hemodynamic effects after biventricular pacing system (BiVp) implantation despite established inclusion criteria for CRT and left ventricular pacing (LVp) techniques. The aim of the study was to find the predictors of acute hemodynamic improvement after right ventricular (RVp) to biventricular pacing system upgrade. Methods: The study group consisted of 69 patients with permanently implanted BiV pacing system with standard CRT criteria. Hemodynamic effect was determined using impedance cardiography (BioZ.com; Cardiodynamics). Cardiac Index (CI) and other indirect parameters were determined during 3 min periods of RV and BiV pacing in turn. Correlations were searched among clinical, echocardiographic, ECG and initial hemodynamic parameters and multivariate analysis was performed as well. Results: Cardiac contractility was higher during BiVp than RVp and LVp: CI (l/min/m2): RVp 2,29* LVp 2,20∧ BiVp 2,56*∧ [*∧ANOVA-LSD p>0,05]. Increase of CI after RV to BiV reprogramming correlated with CI during RVp (r=−0,50 p>0,001), Thoracic Fluid Index (TFI) (r=−0,32 p>0,01) and with difference of CI between RVp vs LVp (r=0,57 p>0,001) and LVp vs BiVp (r= 0,30 p>0,05). Values of CI during LVp, BiVp, echocardiographic parameters, NYHA class, RVp-, LVp-, BiVp- QRS durations and axis, and their changes did not correlated with differences of CI during RVp and BiVp. Multivariate analysis showed that only CI during RVp and RVp vs LVp CI difference determined acute hemodynamic effect of BiVp in comparison to RVp. Conclusions: Increase of CI after RVp to BiVp upgrade depends mainly on cardiac performance during right ventricular pacing and its improvement caused by change from RVp to single site LVp.

705 Rright ventricular apex or outflow tract for biventricular pacing

It was proved that RVOT pacing makes less ventricular asynchrony than RVA pacing. Recently better LV leads permits pacing more distal part of cardiac veins. For avoidance of apical region pacing of both of ventricles we implanted RV lead in RVOT position in every second patient with BiV pacing system. The aim of the study was to compare acute hemodynamic effects of BiV pacing in patients with RV lead in RVA and RVOT position. The study group consisted of 18 patients with permanently implanted biventricular pacing system (atrio-ventricular pacing 12 pts, ventricular only pacing 6 pts). RV lead positions: RVA 10 pts., RVOT 8 pts. LV lead positions: lateral CV 7 pts., postero-lateral CV 10 pts., posterior CV 1 pt. Hemodynamic measurements were performed using impedance cardiography (BioZ.com ICG; Cardiodynamics). Indices of contractility: Acceleration Index (ACI), Velocity Index (VI) and Stroke Volume (SV) were determined. Six consecutive measurements were collected after the adaptation period of 2 minutes throughout RV and BiV pacing in turn. The data for each pacing mode were averaged and compared. Results: ACI, VI and SV values were significantly higher during BiV pacing in comparison to RV pacing.