(Circulation. 2002;105:438.)
© 2002 American Heart Association, Inc.
Clinical Investigation and Reports |
From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital (C.-M.Y., M.-O.T., H.L., S.-L.K., Y.-M.L., C.-P.L.) and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Grantham Hospital (E.C., K.F.), The University of Hong Kong; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital (J.E.S., W.-H.F.), The Chinese University of Hong Kong; and Medtronic Inc (M.R.S.H.), Minneapolis, Minn.
Correspondence to Dr Cheuk-Man Yu, Director of Non-Invasive Cardiac Services, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. E-mail cmyua{at}hkucc.hku.hk
| Abstract |
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Methods and Results Twenty-five patients with NYHA class III to IV heart failure and electrocardiographic wave complex duration >140 ms receiving biventricular pacing therapy were assessed serially up to 3 months after pacing and when pacing was withheld for 4 weeks. Tissue Doppler echocardiography was performed using a 6-basal, 6-mid segmental model to assess the time to peak sustained systolic contraction (TS). There was significant improvement of ejection fraction, dP/dt, and myocardial performance index; decrease in mitral regurgitation, left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic (205±68 versus 168±67 mL, P<0.01) and end-systolic volume (162±54 versus 122±42 mL, P<0.01); and improved 6-minute hall-walk distance and quality of life score after pacing for 3 months. The mechanisms of benefits were as follows: (1) improved LV synchrony, as evident by homogeneous delay of TS to a timing close to the latest (usually the lateral) segment abolishing the intersegmental difference in TS and decreasing the standard deviation of TS within the left ventricle (37.7±10.9 versus 29.3±8.3 ms, P<0.05); (2) improved interventricular synchrony; and (3) shortened isovolumic contraction time (122±57 versus 82±36 ms, P<0.05) but increased diastolic filling time. These benefits are pacing dependent, because withholding the pacing resulted in varying speeds in the loss of cardiac improvements.
Conclusions Biventricular pacing reverses LV remodeling and improves cardiac function. Improvement of LV mechanical synchrony seems to be the predominant mechanism.
Key Words: pacing heart failure echocardiography pacemakers
| Introduction |
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The aims of the present study were to assess the effect of biventricular pacing on LV reverse remodeling and echocardiographic parameters of cardiac function; to demonstrate the potential mechanisms of benefits objectively by echocardiography and TDI, which included the improvement of intraventricular and interventricular synchrony and possibly other mechanisms; and to confirm if continuous pacing is necessary for the reverse remodeling and other benefits.
| Methods |
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Biventricular Pacemaker or Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation
Atriosynchronized biventricular pacemaker was implanted as previously described.1,10 The LV pacing lead was inserted by transvenous approach through the coronary sinus into the lateral or posterolateral cardiac vein. Nineteen patients received an Attain system (model 2187 in 14, model 4189 in 2, and model 4191 in 3 patients [side-wire lead]) (Medtronic Inc) and 6 received the Easytrak over-the-wire lead (model 4512, Guidant Inc). The biventricular devices used were InSync (model 8040, Medtronic Inc) in 19, Contak TR (model 1241, Guidant Inc) in 4, and biventricular cardioverter defibrillator (model 1823, Guidant Inc) in 2 patients. The atrioventricular interval was optimized by Doppler echocardiography.13
Echocardiography
Standard echocardiography, including Doppler studies, was performed (System 5, Vingmed-General Electric). The LV dimensions and ejection fraction were measured by two-dimension guided M-mode method. Change in LV volume was assessed by Simpsons equation using the apical 4-chamber view. LV diastolic function and cardiac output were assessed by pulse-wave Doppler echocardiography.14 The rate of pressure rise in systole (dP/dt) was estimated from the continuous-wave Doppler mitral regurgitation velocity curve.15 Myocardial performance index (MPI) was also calculated.16 The severity of midsystolic mitral regurgitation was assessed by the percentage jet area relative to the left atrial size in the apical 4-chamber view. At least 3 consecutive beats of sinus rhythm were measured, and the average value was taken.
TDI was performed using apical views for the long-axis motion of the ventricles as previously described.12,17,18 Two-dimension echocardiography with TDI-color imaging was performed with a 2.5- or 3.5-MHz phase-array transducer. Gain settings, filters, and pulse repetition frequency were adjusted to optimize color saturation, and sector size and depth were optimized for the highest possible frame rate. At least 3 consecutive beats were stored, and the images were digitized and computer analyzed offline (EchoPac 6.3.6, Vingmed-General Electric). Myocardial pulse-Doppler velocity profile signals were reconstituted offline from the TDI color images that provided regional myocardial velocity curves.12 From the apical 4-chamber, 2-chamber, and long-axis views, a 6-basal and 6-mid segmental model was obtained in the LV, namely the septal, lateral, anteroseptal, posterior, anterior, and inferior segments at both basal and mid levels.12 The peak myocardial sustained systolic velocity (SM) and the time to peak SM (TS) were measured. For the TS, the beginning of the QRS complex was used as the reference point.12 The long-axis systolic displacement of the heart was calculated from the velocity-time integral of the regional velocity curve. The averages of at least 3 consecutive beats were used for comparison. The interobserver and intraobserver variabilities have been compared in 60 consecutive measurements and were 4.7% and 3.2%, respectively. Validation had been performed previously in physical models,19 animal models17,20 and human subjects,21 and TDI was found to be accurate to assess regional velocity and timing of cardiac events.12
Statistics
For the comparison of parametric variables at different time points of assessment or among myocardial segments, paired sample t test with Bonferroni correction was used. To assess systolic synchronicity, standard deviation of TS (TS-SD) of the 12 LV myocardial segments in each patient was calculated. The greater the value of TS-SD, the more severe the systolic dyssynchrony. ANOVA was used to compare the TS of the 12 LV and the right ventricular segments at each time point. Correlation analysis was used to compare the degree of systolic dyssynchrony at baseline and improvement of reverse remodeling after pacing. All data were expressed as mean±SD. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
| Results |
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Clinical Assessment
The New York Heart Association functional class decreased by at least one class in all but 2 patients. One of the patients subsequently died of pump failure. None of the patients experienced worsening of symptoms. In 1 patient, pulsus alternans was resolved after biventricular pacing.22 There was also progressive improvement in quality of life score (P=0.001 at 3 months) after pacing, and the benefit was relatively maintained up to 4 weeks after pacing was stopped. The 6-minute hall-walk distance was also increased early after pacing therapy, improved additionally by 3 months (all P<0.05) and was maintained after biventricular pacing was stopped (Table 1 and Figure 1).
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Left Ventricular Function
The LV fractional shortening and ejection fraction improved progressively during biventricular pacing and were significantly higher than baseline values at 1 (P<0.05) and 3 months (P<0.001). When pacing was stopped, repeating echocardiogram immediately showed a decrease in these parameters, although they were still significantly higher than prepacing values. These parameters decreased additionally 4 weeks after biventricular pacing was stopped (P<0.01 versus 3 months). The change in cardiac output followed a similar pattern to that of ejection fraction. The LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were significantly smaller than baseline after pacing therapy for 1 month (P<0.05) and reduced additionally by 3 months (P<0.01). There was no change in LV volume immediately when pacing was stopped, but it was enlarged progressively over the subsequent 4 weeks (P<0.05 versus 3 months). The LV end-systolic diameter was also reduced significantly 1 and 3 months after pacing therapy (both P<0.05). The mid-systolic mitral regurgitation reduced immediately after pacing (P<0.05) and was sustained throughout the pacing period. The benefit was maintained partially during the first week after pacing was suspended. The dP/dt increased progressively and was significant after 3 months of pacing (P<0.01). The benefit was lost gradually on cessation of pacing. The isovolumic contraction time was reduced only during the period of biventricular pacing. The MPI improved gradually over the 3-month period and began to return to baseline values as soon as pacing was stopped (Tables 1 and 2 and Figure 1).
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For diastolic function (Table 2), 4 patients with initial total fusion of early diastolic and atrial filling changed to an abnormal relaxation pattern (reversed early and atrial filling velocity ratio and deceleration time >240 ms) after optimization of atrioventricular interval. The LV filling time was significantly increased after optimization of atrioventricular interval (P<0.05). Cessation of biventricular pacing was associated with immediate loss of such benefit. There was no change in isovolumic relaxation time, ejection time, and deceleration time attributable to biventricular pacing (Table 2 and Figure 1).
Intraventricular Synchrony
Using TDI, there was marked segmental variation in TS before pacing, being earliest in the basal anteroseptal segment and latest in the basal lateral segment (148±25 versus 216±52 ms, P<0.01). After biventricular pacing therapy, the difference in TS between the 2 regions was abolished (191±32 versus 213±44 ms, P=NS) (Figures 2 and 3). There was also marked regional variation in the TS among all the LV segments at baseline (ANOVA P<0.05), which was abolished after pacing therapy (ANOVA P=NS) (Figure 2). As illustrated in Figure 2, all segments had TS delayed after biventricular pacing and were significant in the basal anteroseptal, basal posterior, basal anterior, midanteroseptal, and midlateral segments when compared with the corresponding values at baseline (all P<0.05). In some patients with left bundle branch block and paradoxical septum motion in systole, the TS was delayed before pacing. This was corrected by abolishing the abnormal septal motion together with delaying the lateral wall contraction by pacing therapy (Figure 3). Therefore, biventricular pacing improved the synchronicity of the LV by delaying the TS in segments with initially early peak sustained systolic contraction so that all the regions of the LV had synchronized systolic contraction, albeit slightly and simultaneously delayed.
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When the TS-SD was compared in the LV, it was significantly shorter after biventricular pacing for 3 months than baseline (37.7±10.9 versus 29.3±8.3 ms, P<0.05). When pacing was stopped and TDI was repeated immediately, the TS-SD was increased again (41.1±11.8 ms, P<0.01 versus 3 months) and remained abnormal 4 weeks after pacing was stopped (37.8±10.6 ms, P<0.05 versus 3 months). There was no significant change in the regional SM or the amplitude of regional long-axis displacement before and after biventricular pacing therapy (Table 3).
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Interventricular Synchrony
At baseline, the TS at the basal right ventricular segment was comparable to the basal septal segment (septal, 185±33 versus right ventricular, 182±37 ms; P=NS) but was significantly earlier than the basal lateral segment (216±52 ms, P<0.05). After biventricular pacing, the difference in TS between the 2 segments was abolished (right ventricular, 206±54 versus lateral, 214±64 ms; P=NS).
| Discussion |
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LV Reverse Remodeling After Biventricular Pacing
Prevention of cardiac remodeling improves prognosis in heart failure.9 The present study confirms the previous observation that biventricular pacing can result in reverse remodeling,10,23 and the changes are associated with improvement in cardiac function. However, it was not known how LV volume might change if pacing was withdrawn. This study found that LV volume increased gradually over 4 weeks after cessation of biventricular pacing. In addition, other echocardiographic benefits were also lost with time. The improvement in diastolic filling time, isovolumic contraction time, and MPI, which were largely dependent on the control of atrioventricular internal, were lost immediately. The benefits on ejection fraction and cardiac output were lost gradually over 4 weeks. These observations provide strong evidence that pacing is the cause of LV remodeling. The present study additionally confirmed the previous observations that systolic function and clinical status were improved, as supported by the gain in ejection fraction, dP/dt, MPI, 6-minute hall-walk distance, and quality of life score.6,7,10 Furthermore, the improvements in quality of life score and walking distance were maintained for at least 4 weeks after pacing was suspended. This may indicate that the onset and offset of clinical benefits have a time lag, and a longer period of follow-up is needed before the loss of clinical benefit is observed.
Cardiac Resynchronization by Biventricular Pacing
Prolongation of QRS duration has been described in patients with heart failure and is an indicator of increased mortality.24 This is likely attributable to dyssynchronous LV systolic movement, as demonstrated by a tagged MRI study in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.11 However, improvement of cardiac synchronicity has not been demonstrated objectively after pacing therapy. Using TDI, we demonstrated the presence of LV systolic dyssynchrony in patients before pacing therapy by the significant regional difference in TS and the marked increase in TS-SD among the 12 LV segments. The improvement of intraventricular synchronicity after biventricular pacing was reflected by the loss of regional difference in TS as well as the significant reduction in TS-SD. Interestingly, biventricular pacing improves LV synchronicity by homogeneously delaying those sites with early peak systolic contraction, in particular in the anteroseptal, septal, inferior, and posterior segments, causing all segments to contract late with respect to the QRS onset but simultaneously with respect to each other. Nonetheless, as illustrated in Figure 3, some patients actually had paradoxical septal motion so that sustained systolic contraction is earlier in the lateral wall. In this situation, biventricular pacing helps by abolishing the abnormal septal motion together with delaying the TS in the lateral wall so that synchronicity was successfully achieved. Therefore, biventricular pacing improves LV synchronicity not by early preexcitation of the lateral wall but by ensuring a delayed, yet synchronous, contraction. In the right ventricle, there was also delay in the TS to a magnitude similar to that of the septum during biventricular pacing, resulting in simultaneous peak contraction with the LV; ie, interventricular synchrony is also achieved. Because the segmental peak systolic velocities and the regional long-axis systolic displacement were not changed during biventricular pacing, this finding suggests that biventricular pacing has no direct inotropic effect on the failing heart. This is consistent with the recent finding that biventricular pacing did not increase the energy consumption of the heart25; rather, it ensures improved ejection fraction through a more efficiently contracting ventricle.
Other Mechanisms of Benefit by Biventricular Pacing
One of the findings in this study was the shortening of isovolumic contraction time during biventricular pacing, without change in ejection time and isovolumic relaxation time. More precisely, this is actually the wasted presystolic time after atrial filling is completed but before mitral valve closure. With atrioventricular interval optimized by Doppler echocardiography, there was forced closure of the mitral valve immediately after atrial filling was completed, hence the presystolic time was abolished.13 As a result, diastolic filling time was increased and the fusion of early and late diastolic filling was reduced. The midsystolic mitral regurgitation was also improved, probably as a result of improved synchronicity that reduced the distortion of mitral apparatus during contraction.
The proposed mechanisms of improvement in intraventricular synchrony, atrioventricular synchrony, and interventricular synchrony are summarized in Figure 4. As this study was conducted in a relatively short duration, the long-term benefits need to be prospectively assessed by additional studies. In addition, whether reverse remodeling induced by biventricular pacing therapy will improve the prognosis of heart failure, as is seen in pharmacological therapy, needs to be addressed by large-scale, multicenter studies.
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| Acknowledgments |
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Received October 3, 2001; revision received November 2, 2001; accepted November 6, 2001.
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