Optimization of atrioventricular delay by surface electrocardiography during dual chamber pacing.
BACKGROUND
Nominal atrioventricular (AV) interval in dual chamber pacemaker (DDD) is not the best AV delay in the majority of patients with atrioventricular block. To find a simple method for optimizing AV delay adjustment, we assessed surface electrocardiography (ECG) for optimizing AV delay during dual chamber pacing.


METHODS
DDD pacemakers were implanted in 46 patients with complete, or almost complete, AV block. Optimal AV delay was achieved by programming an additional delay of 100 ms, to the width of intrinsic P wave or to the interval between pacing spike to the end of P wave on surface ECG. Left ventricular (LV) end diastolic and end systolic volumes, ejection fraction and diastolic parameters were measured by Doppler echocardiography during both nominal and optimal AV delay pacing.


RESULTS
Compared to nominal AV delay setting, LV end diastolic volume increased [to (53.2 +/- 11.3) ml from (50.2 +/- 10.2) ml, P < 0.05], end systolic volume decreased [to (26.1 +/- 9.0) ml from (27.9 +/- 8.2) ml, P < 0.05] during adjusted AV delay pacing, resulting in an increase in LV ejection fraction [to (68.2 +/- 5.3)% from (64.5 +/- 4.3)%, P < 0.05]. LV diastolic filling and isovolumic relaxation time were not significantly changed.


CONCLUSIONS
Optimization of AV delay by surface ECG is a simple method to improve LV systolic function during dual chamber pacing.
Wu
Li-qun
LQ
Department of Cardiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China.
Gu
Gang
G
Cao
Min
M
Shen
Yong-chu
YC
Su
Kan
K
Shen
Wei-feng
WF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors