title: The influence of permanent cardiac pacing on plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with sick sinus syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Unequivocal data presenting the impact of different pacing modes on B-type natriuretic peptide levels has never been published. The aim of the study was to assess changes of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) during permanent cardiac pacing in patients with sick sinus syndrome (SSS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with SSS undergoing routine pacemaker implantation were enrolled. Each subject underwent medical history and examination, echocardiography and blood sampling. Analysis was performed on 12 females (42.9%) and 16 males (57.1%), mean age 71.3 +/- 9.03 years, range 49-90 years. There were 11 pacemakers with AAIR pacing mode (39.3%; AAI group) and 17 with DDDR mode (60.7%; DDD group) implanted. There were no significant differences in age, concomitant diseases or echocardiographic parameters between the groups in baseline characteristics or plasma BNP levels (94.05 +/- 54.1 vs. 73.57 +/- 70.13 pg/mL; p > 0.2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  During six months follow-up no significant changes in plasma BNP levels in AAI group (94.05 +/- 54.1 vs. 94.05 +/- 54.1 pg/mL; p > 0.5) as well as in DDD group (73.57 +/- 70.1 vs. 82.39 +/- 58.9 pg/mL; p > 0.5) were noticed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atrial (AAIR) and dual chamber (DDDR) pacing did not influence plasma BNP levels in patients with SSS and preserved left ventricular systolic function.
authors.affiliation: Swietokrzyskie Cardiology Institute, Kielce, Poland. emsad@o2.pl
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sadowski
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wozakowska-Kapłon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012804:Sick Sinus Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain