Project description:BackgroundIt is unclear whether clinical benefits of cardiac resynchronization can be achieved by pacing only the left ventricle.HypothesisWe aimed to compare the effect of a novel adaptive left ventricular-only fusion pacing (LVP) on ventricular function with conventional biventricular pacing (BVP) in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) indicated patients.MethodsThis prospective, randomized, multicenter study enrolled CRT-indicated patients with PR interval ≤ 200 ms who were randomized in the adaptive LVP group (using the AdaptivCRT™ algorithm with intentional non-capture right ventricular pacing) or the echocardiography-optimized BVP group. Cardiac function and echocardiography were evaluated at baseline and follow-ups. CRT super response was defined as two-fold or more increase of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) or final LVEF >45%, and LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) decrease >15%, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class improved by at least one level.ResultsSixty-three patients were enrolled in the study (LVP = 34 vs. BVP = 29). At 6-month follow-up, significant improvements in LVEF, LVESV, and NYHA class were observed in both groups. The CRT super response rate was significantly higher in patients with high-percentage adaptive LV-only pacing in LVP group (68.4%) than in BVP group (36.4%, p = .04).ConclusionsAdaptive LV-only pacing was comparable to BVP in improving cardiac function and clinical condition in CRT-indicated patients. This finding raises the possibility that an adaptive LVP algorithm with appropriate right ventricular sensing to fuse with intrinsic right ventricular activation in a two-lead (right atrium and left ventricle) device may provide clinical benefit in a subset of CRT patients with intact atrioventricular conduction.
Project description:BackgroundCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with biventricular epicardial (BV-CS) or endocardial left ventricular (LV) stimulation (BV-EN) improves LV hemodynamics. The effect of CRT on right ventricular function is less clear, particularly for BV-EN. Our objective was to compare the simultaneous acute hemodynamic response (AHR) of the right and left ventricles (RV and LV) with BV-CS and BV-EN in order to determine the optimal mode of CRT delivery.MethodsNine patients with previously implanted CRT devices successfully underwent a temporary pacing study. Pressure wires measured the simultaneous AHR in both ventricles during different pacing protocols. Conventional epicardial CRT was delivered in LV-only (LV-CS) and BV-CS configurations and compared with BV-EN pacing in multiple locations using a roving decapolar catheter.ResultsBest BV-EN (optimal AHR of all LV endocardial pacing sites) produced a significantly greater RV AHR compared with LV-CS and BV-CS pacing (P < 0.05). RV AHR had a significantly increased standard deviation compared to LV AHR (P < 0.05) with a weak correlation between RV and LV AHR (Spearman rs = -0.06). Compromised biventricular optimization, whereby RV AHR was increased at the expense of a smaller decrease in LV AHR, was achieved in 56% of cases, all with BV-EN pacing.ConclusionsBV-EN pacing produces significant increases in both LV and RV AHR, above that achievable with conventional epicardial pacing. RV AHR cannot be used as a surrogate for optimizing LV AHR; however, compromised biventricular optimization is possible. The beneficial effect of endocardial LV pacing on RV function may have important clinical benefits beyond conventional CRT.
Project description:BackgroundCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) demands high energy utilization due to continuous biventricular pacing. Current technology allows 6 pacing configurations for a bipolar left ventricular (LV) lead. Understanding the energy requirements for each configuration will allow optimization of pacing output.Methods and resultsPacing impedance, LV voltage threshold at 1.5 ms (rheobase) and 0.4 ms and chronaxie were obtained in 6 LV configurations in 49 consecutive patients undergoing CRT implantation or replacement. Strength-duration curves were derived using the Lapicque formula. Pacing impedances and voltage thresholds at 1.5 and 0.4 ms, calculated minimum threshold energy at chronaxie, current drain, energy thresholds at 0.4 ms, and strength-duration curves were statistically different between LV configurations (P<0.05). The lowest threshold energy requirements were found in Tip→right ventricular (RV) coil and Tip→Can configuration. Energy strength-duration curves involving the ring as the cathode (Ring→RV, Ring→Can, and Ring→Tip) had the highest LV thresholds. The pacing configuration with the lowest energy threshold correlated 89% of the time with the lowest voltage threshold at 0.4 ms. The probability to reach LV thresholds <1.5 V at 0.4 ms was increased from 51% with 2 LV configurations to 67% with 6 LV configurations.ConclusionsPacing impedance, LV thresholds, minimum threshold energy at chronaxie, current drain, voltage, and energy strength-duration curves were statistically different between LV pacing configurations. LV pacing configuration with the lowest voltage threshold does not always reflects the lowest energy threshold, particularly in the presence of a low impedance configuration. The availability of 6 LV configurations increases the probability of optimizing LV pacing output.
Project description:Background Experimental evidence indicates that left ventricular ( LV ) apical pacing is hemodynamically superior to nonapical LV pacing. Some studies have shown that an LV apical lead position is unfavorable in cardiac resynchronization therapy. We sought to determine whether an apical LV lead position influences cardiac mortality after cardiac resynchronization therapy. Methods and Results In this retrospective observational study, the primary end point of cardiac mortality was assessed in relation to longitudinal (basal, midventricular, or apical) and circumferential (anterior, lateral, or posterior) LV lead positions, as well as right ventricular (apical or septal), assigned using fluoroscopy. Lead positions were assessed in 1189 patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation over 15 years. After a median follow-up of 6.0 years (interquartile range: 4.4-7.7 years), an apical LV lead position was associated with lower cardiac mortality than a nonapical position (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.99) after covariate adjustment. There were no differences in total mortality or heart failure hospitalization. Death from pump failure was lower with apical than nonapical positions (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.94). Compared with a basal position, an apical LV position was also associated with lower risk of sudden cardiac death (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.93). No differences emerged between circumferential LV lead positions or right ventricular positions with respect to any end point. Conclusions In recipients of cardiac resynchronization therapy, an apical LV lead position was associated with better long-term cardiac survival than a nonapical position. This effect was due to a lower risk of pump failure and sudden cardiac death.
Project description:BackgroundAlthough device-based optimization has been developed to overcome the limitations of conventional optimization methods in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), few real-world data supports the results of clinical trials that showed the efficacy of automatic optimization algorithms. We investigated whether CRT using the adaptive CRT algorithm is comparable to non-adaptive biventricular (BiV) pacing optimized with electrocardiogram or echocardiography-based methods.MethodsConsecutive 155 CRT patients were categorized into 3 groups according to the optimization methods: non-adaptive BiV (n = 129), adaptive BiV (n = 11), and adaptive left ventricular (LV) pacing (n = 15) groups. Additionally, a subgroup of patients (n = 59) with normal PR interval and left bundle branch block (LBBB) was selected from the non-adaptive BiV group. The primary outcomes included cardiac death, heart transplantation, LV assist device implantation, and heart failure admission. Secondary outcomes were electromechanical reverse remodeling and responder rates at 6 months after CRT.ResultsDuring a median 27.5-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in primary outcomes among the 3 groups. However, there was a trend toward better outcomes in the adaptive LV group compared to the other groups. In a more rigorous comparisons among the patients with normal PR interval and LBBB, similar patterns were still observed.ConclusionIn our first Asian-Pacific real-world data, automated dynamic CRT optimization showed comparable efficacy to conventional methods regarding clinical outcomes and electromechanical remodeling.
Project description:AimsThis registry was created to describe the experience of 76 Italian centres with a large cohort of recipients of multipoint pacing (MPP) capable cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices.Methods and resultsA total of 507 patients in whom these devices had been successfully implanted were enrolled between August 2013 and May 2015. We analysed: (i) current clinical practices for the management of such patients, and (ii) the impact of MPP on heart failure clinical composite response and on the absolute change in ejection fraction (EF) at 6 months. Multipoint pacing was programmed to 'ON' in 46% of patients before discharge. Methods of optimizing MPP programming were most commonly based on either the greatest narrowing of the QRS complex (38%) or the electrical delays between the electrodes (34%). Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up data were evaluated in 232 patients. These patients were divided into two groups according to whether MPP was programmed to 'ON' (n = 94) or 'OFF' (n = 138) at the time of discharge. At 6 months, EF was significantly higher in the MPP group than in the biventricular-pacing group (39.1 ± 9.6 vs. 34.7 ± 7.6%; P < 0.001). Even after adjustments, early MPP activation remained an independent predictor of absolute increase in LVEF of ≥5% (odds ratio 2.5; P = 0.001). At 6 months, an improvement in clinical composite score was recorded in a greater proportion of patients with MPP-ON than in controls (56 vs. 38%; P = 0.009). On comparing optimal MPP and conventional vectors, QRS was also seen to have decreased significantly (P < 0.001).ConclusionThis study provides information that is essential in order to deal with the expected increase in the number of patients receiving MPP devices in the coming years. The results revealed different practices among centres, and establishing the optimal programming that can maximize the benefit of MPP remains a challenging issue. Compared with conventional CRT, MPP improved clinical status and resulted in an additional increase in EF.Clinical trial registrationhttp://www.clinicaltrial.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT02606071.
Project description:BackgroundA screening tool to predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) could improve patient selection and outcomes.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of noninvasive CRT via transcutaneous ultrasonic left ventricular (LV) pacing applied as a screening test before CRT implants.MethodsP-wave-triggered ultrasound stimuli were delivered during bolus dosing of an echocardiographic contrast agent to simulate CRT noninvasively. Ultrasound pacing was delivered at a variety of LV locations with a range of atrioventricular delays to achieve fusion with intrinsic ventricular activation. Three-dimensional cardiac activation maps were acquired via the Medtronic CardioInsight 252-electrode mapping vest during baseline, ultrasound pacing, and after CRT implantation. A separate control group received only the CRT implants.ResultsUltrasound pacing was achieved in 10 patients with a mean of 81.2 ± 50.8 ultrasound paced beats per patient and up to 20 consecutive beats of ultrasound pacing. QRS width at baseline (168.2 ± 17.8 ms) decreased significantly to 117.3 ± 21.5 ms (P <.001) in the best ultrasound paced beat and to 125.8 ± 13.3 ms (P <.001) in the best CRT beat. Electrical activation patterns were similar between CRT pacing and ultrasound pacing with stimulation from the same area of the LV. Troponin results were similar between the ultrasound pacing and the control groups (P = .96), confirming safety.ConclusionNoninvasive ultrasound pacing before CRT is safe and feasible, and it estimates the degree of electrical resynchronization achievable with CRT. Further study of this promising technique to guide CRT patient selection is warranted.
Project description:AimsIdentifying heart failure (HF) patients who will benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) remains challenging. We evaluated whether virtual pacing in a digital twin (DT) of the patient's heart could be used to predict the degree of left ventricular (LV) reverse remodelling post-CRT.Methods and resultsForty-five HF patients with wide QRS complex (≥130 ms) and reduced LV ejection fraction (≤35%) receiving CRT were retrospectively enrolled. Echocardiography was performed before (baseline) and 6 months after CRT implantation to obtain LV volumes and 18-segment longitudinal strain. A previously developed algorithm was used to generate 45 DTs by personalizing the CircAdapt model to each patient's baseline measurements. From each DT, baseline septal-to-lateral myocardial work difference (MWLW-S,DT) and maximum rate of LV systolic pressure rise (dP/dtmax,DT) were derived. Biventricular pacing was then simulated using patient-specific atrioventricular delay and lead location. Virtual pacing-induced changes ΔMWLW-S,DT and ΔdP/dtmax,DT were correlated with real-world LV end-systolic volume change at 6-month follow-up (ΔLVESV). The DT's baseline MWLW-S,DT and virtual pacing-induced ΔMWLW-S,DT were both significantly associated with the real patient's reverse remodelling ΔLVESV (r = -0.60, P < 0.001 and r = 0.62, P < 0.001, respectively), while correlation between ΔdP/dtmax,DT and ΔLVESV was considerably weaker (r = -0.34, P = 0.02).ConclusionOur results suggest that the reduction of septal-to-lateral work imbalance by virtual pacing in the DT can predict real-world post-CRT LV reverse remodelling. This DT approach could prove to be an additional tool in selecting HF patients for CRT and has the potential to provide valuable insights in optimization of CRT delivery.