Myocardial perfusion and metabolic changes induced by biventricular pacing in dilated cardiomyopathy and left bundle branch block: description of a case evaluated by positron emission tomography.
The effects of biventricular pacing on myocardial wall function are well known, but, at the moment, its real effects on myocardial metabolism are unclear. In patients affected by left bundle branch block, at positron emission tomography a septal defect of the uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) was referred. There were no alterations in myocardial perfusion, suggesting possible metabolic damage. In this paper we report the case of a patient affected by dilated cardiomyopathy and left bundle branch block treated with a biventricular device. Biventricular pacing resolved both the wall motion alterations as well as the defect in FDG uptake present in the septal area. On the contrary, during biventricular pacing there were no modifications in myocardial perfusion as compared to basal evaluation.
Neri
G
G
Department of Cardiology, ULSS 8 Veneto, Castelfranco Veneto, Italy. gianfilipponeri@tin.it
Zanco
P
P
Buchberger
R
R
D000368:Aged; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D010477:Perfusion; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed