Variation in Optimal Haemodynamic Atrio-ventricular Delay of
Biventricular Pacing with Different Endocardial Left Ventricular Lead
Locations using Precision Haemodynamics
Abstract
Background: It is not known whether the optimal
Atrioventricular delay (AV opt) varies between left
ventricular (LV) pacing site during endocardial biventricular pacing
(BiVP) and may therefore needs consideration. Methods: We
assessed the haemodynamic AV opt in patients with
chronic heart failure undergoing endocardial LV lead implantation. AV
opt was assessed during atrio-biventricular pacing (BVP)
with a “roving LV lead”. Up to four locations were studied: mid
lateral wall, mid septum (or a close alternative), site of greatest
haemodynamic improvement and LV lead implant site. The AV
opt was compared to a fixed AV delay of 180ms.
Results: Seventeen patients were included (12 male, aged 66.5
+/- 12.8 years, ejection fraction 26 +/- 7%, 16 left bundle branch
block or high percentage of right ventricular pacing (RVP), QRS duration
167 +/-27 ms). In most locations (62/63), AV opt
increased systolic blood pressure during BiVP compared with RVP
(relative improvement 6 mmHg, IQR 4-9mmHg). Compared to a fixed AV delay
the haemodynamic improvement at AV opt was higher
(1mmHg, IQR 0.2-2.6mmHg, p<0.001). Within most patients
(16/17), we observed a difference in AV opt between
pacing sites (median paced AV opt 209 ms, IQR 117-250).
Within this range, the haemodynamic impact of these differences was
small (median loss 0.6 mmHg, IQR 0.1-2.6mmHg). Conclusion:
Within a patient, different endocardial LV lead locations have slightly
different haemodynamic AV opt which are superior to a
fixed AV delay. The haemodynamic consequence of applying an optimum from
a different lead location is small.