Open Access

Matthias Heinke, Bruno Ismer, Tobias Heinke, Ralf Surber, Anna Haltenberger, Helmut Kühnert, Daniela Eisenträger, Martin Lorenz, Dirk Prochnau, Gudrun Dannberg, Hans Reiner Figulla

• Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) with biventricular pacing (BV) is an established therapy for heart failure (HF) patients with interventricular conduction delay (IVCD). The aim of the study was to evaluate transesophageal IVCD and left ventricular (LV) pacing with directed electrical pacing field (EPF) in HF patients. Methods: HF patients were analysed with bipolar transesophageal LVCardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) with biventricular pacing (BV) is an established therapy for heart failure (HF) patients with interventricular conduction delay (IVCD). The aim of the study was to evaluate transesophageal IVCD and left ventricular (LV) pacing with directed electrical pacing field (EPF) in HF patients. Methods: HF patients were analysed with bipolar transesophageal LV electrocardiogram recording and LV pacing with constant voltage stimulus output, 4 ms stimulus duration, distal cylindrical electrode (CE) and seven 6 mm hemispherical electrodes (HE) with 15 mm electrode distance (TO, Dr. Osypka, Rheinfelden, Germany). Results: LV electrocardiogram recording with HE-HE and CE-HE evaluated a mean IVCD of 79.9 ± 36.7 ms. Directed EPF with CE-HE and HE-HE allowed LV VAT (n=12) and LV D00 pacing (n=5) with a mean effective capture output of 97.35 ± 6.64 V. In 15 responders with IVCD of 87 ± 33 ms arterial pulse pressure (PP) increased from 65 ± 24 mmHg to 79 ± 27 mmHg (p < 0.001). EPF was simulated with finite element method. Conclusions: Transesophageal LV electrocardiography and directed EPF pacing with CE and HE allowed the evaluation of IVCD and PP to select patients for BV pacing.…