Cited 44 times since 2004 (2.2 per year) source: EuropePMC Circulation, Volume 110, Issue 16, 11 2 2004, Pages 2395-2400 Left ventricular pacing minimizes diastolic ventricular interaction, allowing improved preload-dependent systolic performance. Bleasdale RA, Turner MS, Mumford CE, Steendijk P, Paul V, Tyberg JV, Morris-Thurgood JA, Frenneaux MP
Background
Left ventricular (LV) pacing improves hemodynamics in patients with heart failure. We hypothesized that at least part of this benefit occurs by minimization of external constraint to LV filling from ventricular interaction.
Methods and results
We present median values (interquartile ranges) for 13 heart failure patients with LV pacing systems implanted for New York Heart Association class III/IV limitation. We used the conductance catheter method to measure LV pressure and volume simultaneously. External constraint was measured from the end-diastolic pressure-volume relation recorded during inferior vena caval occlusion, during LV pacing, and while pacing was suspended. External constraint to LV filling was reduced by 3.0 (4.6 to 0.6) mm Hg from 4.8 (0.6 to 7.5) mm Hg (P<0.01) in response to LV pacing; effective filling pressure (LV end-diastolic pressure minus external constraint) increased by 4.0 (2.2 to 5.8) mm Hg from 17.7 (13.3 to 22.6; P<0.01). LV end-diastolic volume increased by 10 (3 to 11) mL from 238 (169 to 295) mL (P=0.01), whereas LV end-systolic volume did not change significantly (-1 [-2 to 3] mL from 180 [124 to 236] mL, P=0.97), which resulted in an increase in stroke volume of 11 (5 to 13) mL from 49 (38 to 59) mL (P<0.01). LV stroke work increased by 720 (550 to 1180) mL . mm Hg from 3400 (2110 to 4480) mL . mm Hg (P=0.01), and maximum dP/dt increased by 120 (2 to 161) mm Hg/s from 635 (521 to 767) mm Hg/s (P=0.03).
Conclusions
This study suggests a potentially important mechanism by which LV pacing may produce hemodynamic benefit. LV pacing minimizes external constraint to LV filling, resulting in an increase in effective filling pressure; the consequent increase in LV end-diastolic volume increases stroke volume via the Starling mechanism.
