Right atrial appendage versus Bachmann's bundle stimulation: a two-year comparative study of electrical parameters in myotonic dystrophy type-1 patients.
OBJECTIVE
We performed a two-year follow-up comparative study of long-term electrical parameters between the right atrial appendage (RAA) and Bachmann's Bundle (BB) stimulation in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (MD1) patients.


METHODS
Twenty-five MD1 patients (18 men; age: 54 +/- 13 years) with no difference in the electrical parameters between the RAA site and the BB region at implantation were randomized into two groups: in group I (13 patients; age: 52 +/- 14 years; four women) the atrial lead was placed in the RAA and in group II (12 patients, age: 56 +/- 12 years, three women) the lead was placed in the BB region. Measurements of electrical parameters were recorded at follow-up intervals of 6 weeks and then 12 and 24 months postimplant.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant different in P-wave amplitude, pacing threshold, and impedance values between the two groups at 6 weeks. At 24 months follow-up, the intrinsic P-wave amplitude was 2.05 +/- 1.45 mV in the RAA group versus 3.28 +/- 1.09 mV in the BB group (P < 0.05); the pacing threshold was 1.85 +/- 1.8 V in the RAA group versus 0.50 +/- 0.39 V in the BB group (P = 0.03); there were no differences in the atrial impedance between the two groups during the follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
In a direct two-year follow-up comparison between the RAA and BB atrial pacing sites, we showed a statistically significant increased pacing threshold and decreased intrinsic P-wave amplitude during RAA stimulation in MD1 patients.
Nigro
Gerardo
G
Chair of Cardiology, Second University of Naples, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy.
Russo
Vincenzo
V
Politano
Luisa
L
Della Cioppa
Nadia
N
Manfredi
Donatella
D
Chianese
Raffaele
R
De Chiara
Annabella
A
Rago
Anna
A
Arena
Giulia
G
Palladino
Alberto
A
Calabrò
Raffaele
R
D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009223:Myotonic Dystrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome