Echocardiographic AV-interval optimization in patients with reduced left ventricular function

Progress in Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy and Optimisation

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) has become the cornerstone of heart failure (HF) treatment. Despite the obvious benefit from this therapy, an estimated 30% of CRT patients do not respond ("non-responders"). The cause of "non-response" is multi-factorial and includes suboptimal device settings. To optimise CRT settings, echocardiography has been considered the gold standard but has limitations: it is user dependent and consumes time and resources. CRT proprietary algorithms have been developed to perform device optimisation efficiently and with limited resources. In this review, we discuss CRT optimisation including the various adopted proprietary algorithms and conduction system pacing.

Utilization of Electrocardiographic P-wave Duration for AV Interval Optimization in Dual-Chamber Pacemakers

BACKGROUND

Empiric programming of the atrio-ventricular (AV) delay is commonly performed during pacemaker implantation. Transmitral flow assessment by Doppler echocardiography can be used to find the optimal AV delay by Ritter's method, but this cannot easily be performed during pacemaker implantation. We sought to determine a non-invasive surrogate for this assessment. Since electrocardiographic P-wave duration estimates atrial activation time, we hypothesized this measurement may provide a more appropriate basis for programming AV intervals.

METHODS

A total of 19 patients were examined at the time of dual chamber pacemaker implantation, 13 (68%) being male with a mean age of 77. Each patient had the optimal AV interval determined by Ritter's method. The P-wave duration was measured independently on electrocardiograms using MUSE® Cardiology Information System (version 7.1.1). The relationship between P-wave duration and the optimal AV interval was analyzed.

RESULTS

The P-wave duration and optimal AV delay were related by a correlation coefficient of 0.815 and a correction factor of 1.26. The mean BMI was 27. The presence of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and valvular heart disease was 13 (68%), 3 (16%), and 2 (11%) respectively. Mean echocardiographic parameters included an ejection fraction of 58%, left atrial index of 32 ml/m(2), and diastolic dysfunction grade 1 (out of 4).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with dual chamber pacemakers in AV sequentially paced mode and normal EF, electrocardiographic P-wave duration correlates to the optimal AV delay by Ritter's method by a factor of 1.26.

Atrioventricular delays, cardiac output and diastolic function in patients with implanted dual chamber pacing and sensing pacemakers

The Cardiac Output (CO), Filling Time (FT) and Myocardial Performance Index (MPI) derived optimal atrioventricular delay (AVD), were compared and systolic and diastolic performance at every optimal AVD were analyzed. Thirty-two patients with implanted DDD pacemaker were investigated from implantation time to 6 months following PM implantation, in Cardiovascular Research Center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The evaluation was performed during AV sequential pacing with different programmed AVDS ranged from 100 to 200 msec by steps of 20-30 msec. At every AVD, the following parameters were measured: FT, mitral VTI, ET, aortic VTI, ICT and IRT. CO and FT derived optimal AVDs were significantly different (146 +/- 37 and 126 +/- 35 msec, respectively), but their difference with MPI derived optimal AVDs was not significant (130 +/- 28 msec). ICT/ET was similar at CO, FT and MPI derived optimal AVD (0.24 +/- 0.10, 0.22 +/- 0.05 and 0.20 +/- 0.07, respectively). IRT/ET ratio was similar at CO, FT and MPI derived optimal AVDs (0.46 +/- 0.14, 0.45 +/- 0.10 and 0.42 +/- 0.10, respectively). Different methods indicate different optimal AVDs. However analysis of systolic and diastolic performance shows that different AVDs result in similar systolic or diastolic performance. At MPI optimized AVD, a high CO combined with the most advantageous conditions of both isovolumic contraction and relaxation phases is achieved.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy optimization by ultrasonic cardiac output monitoring (USCOM) device

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the accuracy and feasibility of a 2D echo-independent ultrasonic continuous wave Doppler cardiac output monitoring device (USCOM) operated by trained nurse for the atrio-ventricular interval (AVI) optimization in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

BACKGROUND

CRT is of proven benefit in patients with advanced chronic heart failure and ventricular conduction delay. Appropriate AVI selection is critical to optimize hemodynamic in CRT. Currently, most non-invasive methods for AVI optimization are often complicated and labor-intensive.

METHODS

USCOM method, Ritter method, and aortic outflow cardiac output method were used to determine the optima AVI in 20 patients with CRT. The accuracy and time for measurement of each method were determined.

RESULTS

The optimal AVI determined by USCOM method had good correlation with Ritter's method and aortic outflow estimated cardiac output method (r2= 0.78, P < 0.01 and r2= 0.73, P < 0.01, respectively). The optimal AVI determined USCOM method showed good agreement (within 10 msec range) with Ritter's method (85% patients) and aortic outflow estimated cardiac output method (80%). The mean time for determining AVI using USCOM method was shorter than that with aortic outflow method (7.1 +/- 0.7 min vs 12.7 +/- 1.1 min, P < 0.01), whereas the mean time was shortest for Ritter method (4.7 +/- 1.6 min vs 7.1 +/- 0.7 min, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

USCOM device operated by trained nurse can provide a simple, accurate, and fast non-invasive method for the AVI optimization in CRT population.