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Left cardiac atrioventricular delay and inter- ventricular delay in cardiac resynchronization therapy responder and non-responder (2016)

Heinke, Matthias ; Kühnert, Helmut ; Heinke, Tobias ; Tumampos, Jonas ; Dannberg, Gudrun

Cardiac resynchronization therapy is an established therapy for heart failure patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate electrical left cardiac atrioventricular delay and interventricular desynchronization in sinus rhythm cardiac resynchronization therapy responder and non-responder. Cardiac electrical desynchronization were measured by surface ECG and focused transesophageal bipolar left atrial and left ventricular ECG before implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators. Preoperative electrical cardiac desynchronization was 195.7 ± 46.7 ms left cardiac atrioventricular delay and 74.8 ± 24.5 ms interventricular delay in cardiac resynchronization therapy responder. Cardiac resynchronization therapy responder New York Heart Association class improved during long term biventricular pacing. Transesophageal left cardiac atrioventricular delay and interventricular delay may be additional useful parameters to improve patient selection for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Electrical Right and Left Cardiac Atrioventricular and Left Atrial Delay in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Responder and Non-responder with Sinus Rhythm (2018)

Dannberg, Gudrun ; Heinke, Tobias ; Kühnert, Helmut ; Heinke, Matthias

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with hemodynamic optimized biventricular pacing is an established therapy for heart failure patients with sinus rhythm, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and wide QRS complex. The aim of the study was to evaluate electrical right and left cardiac atrioventricular delay and left atrial delay in CRT responder and non-responder with sinus rhythm. Methods: Heart failure patients with New York Heart Association class 3.0 ± 0.3, sinus rhythm and 27.7 ± 6.1% left ventricular ejection fraction were measured by surface ECG and transesophageal bipolar left atrial and left ventricular ECG before implantation of CRT devices. Electrical right cardiac atrioventricular delay was measured between onset of P wave and onset of QRS complex in the surface ECG, left cardiac atrioventricular delay between onset of left atrial signal and onset of left ventricular signal in the transesophageal ECG and left atrial delay between onset and offset of left atrial signal in the transesophageal ECG. Results: Electrical atrioventricular and left atrial delay were 196.9 ± 38.7 ms right and 194.5 ± 44.9 ms left cardiac atrioventricular delay, and 47.7 ± 13.9 ms left atrial delay. There were positive correlation between right and left cardiac atrioventricular delay (r = 0.803 P < 0.001) and negative correlation between left atrial delay and left ventricular ejection fraction (r = −0.694 P = 0.026) with 67% CRT responder. Conclusions: Transesophageal electrical left cardiac atrioventricular delay and left atrial delay may be useful preoperative atrial desynchronization parameters to improve CRT optimization.

Electrical interventricular delay to left ventricular delay ratio in atrial fibrillation cardiac resynchronization therapy responder and non-responder (2016)

Heinke, Matthias ; Kühnert, Helmut ; Dannberg, Gudrun

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established therapy for heart failure (HF) patients (P) with reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and electrical interventricular desynchronization, but not all P improved clinically. The aim of the study was to evaluate electrical interventricular delay (IVD) to LV delay (LVD) ratio in atrial fibrillation (AF) CRT responder (R) and non-responder (NR). Methods: AF P (n = 18, age 60.6 ± 11.4 years, 1 female, 17 males) with HF New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 3.0 ± 0.2, 25.3 ± 5.9 % LV ejection fraction and 157.8 ± 24.4 ms QRS duration (QRSD) were measured by surface ECG and focused transesophageal bipolar LV ECG before implantation of CRT pacemaker (n = 2) or CRT defibrillator (n = 16). IVD was measured between onset of QRS in the surface ECG and onset of LV signal in the LV ECG. LVD was measured between onset and offset of LV signal in the LV ECG. Results: Electrical ventricular desynchronization in AF CRT P were 61.9 ± 26.9ms IVD, 80.6 ± 24.3ms LVD, 0.85 ± 0.41 IVD-LVD-ratio (Figure), 3.12 ± 1.89 QRSD-IVD-ratio and 2.07 ± 0.47 QRSD-LVD-ratio. There were 72.2 % AF CRT R (n = 13) with 64.2 ± 24.6ms IVD and 77.8 ± 21.6ms LVD with Pearson correlation to 0.89 ± 0.39 IVD-LVD-ratio (r = 0.87, P < 0.01; r = -0.69, P < 0.01), 2.82 ± 1.32 QRSD-IVD-ratio (r = -0.76, P < 0.01; r = 0.67, P = 0.011) and 2.13 ± 0.46 QRSD-LVD-ratio (r = 0.57, P = 0.041; r = -0.85, P < 0.01). There were 27.8% AF CRT NR (n = 5) with 56.0 ± 34.5ms IVD and 87.8 ± 31.9ms LVD without correlation to 0.74 ± 0.48 IVD-LVD-ratio, 3.88 ± 2.98 QRSD-IVD-ratio and 1.90 ± 0.48 QRSD-LVD-ratio. During 15.3 ± 13.1 month CRT follow-up, the AF CRT R NYHA class improved from 3.0 ± 0.2 to 2.2 ± 0.3 (P < 0.001). During 18.8 ± 20.7 month CRT follow-up, the AF CRT NR NYHA class not improved from 3 to 3.3 ± 0.97.

Nicht-invasive Evaluierung des elektrischen interventrikulären Delays bei Vorhofflimmern mit und ohne kardiale Resynchronisationstherapie (2014)

Heinke, Matthias ; Dannberg, Gudrun ; Kühnert, Helmut

Hintergrund: Das elektrische interventrikuläre Delay (IVD) und die Lage der linksventrikulären (LV) Elektrode zum Ort der spätesten LV Erregung sind bei Patienten (P) mit Herzinsuffizienz (HF), reduzierter LV Funktion und breiter QRS Dauer (QRSD) von Bedeutung für den Erfolg der kardialen Resynchronisationstherapie (CRT). Die LV Elektrokardiographie ermöglicht eine Abschätzung des elektrischen IVD. Ziel der Studie besteht in der nicht-invasiven Evaluierung des elektrischen IVD bei Patienten (P) mit Vorhofflimmern (AFib) mit und ohne CRT mit biventrikulärer (BV) Stimulation. Methoden: Bei 49 HF P mit AFib (Alter 63,9 ± 10,8 Jahre; 43 Männer und 6 Frauen) mit New York Heart Association (NYHA) Klasse 2,9 ± 0,4, LV Ejektionsfraktion 26,03 ± 7,99 % und QRS-Dauer (QRSD) 143,69 ± 35,62 ms wurde das elektrische IVD als Intervall zwischen Beginn des QRS-Komplexes im Oberflächen EKG und Beginn des LV Signals im transösophagealen LV EKG bei 31 HF P mit AFib und bei 18 HF P mit AFib und CRT präoperativ bestimmt. Das fokussierte bipolare LV EKG wurde mittels Osypka TO Sonde mit halbkugelförmigen Elektroden in Höhe des maximalen LV Signals registriert. Ergebnisse: Bei 31 HF P mit AFib betrugen QRSD 135,48 ± 38,78 ms, IVD 49,55 ± 26,38 ms, QRSD-IVD-Verhältnis 3,12 ± 1,11 und das IVD korrelierte mit der QRSD (r=0,75, P<0,001) und dem QRSD-IVD-Verhältnis (r=-0,67, P<0,001) (Fig.). Bei 18 HF P mit AFib und CRT Defibrillator betrugen QRSD 157,83 ± 24,38 ms, IVD 61,94 ± 26,88 ms, QRSD-IVD-Verhältnis 3,12 ± 1,89 und das IVD korrelierte mit der QRSD (r=0,47, P=0,049) und dem QRSD-IVD-Verhältnis (r=-0,73, P<0,001). Bei 72,2 % CRT Responder (R) (n=13) betrugen QRSD 158,15 ± 22,4 ms, IVD 64,23 ± 24,62 ms, QRSD-IVD-Verhältnis 2,82 ± 1,32 und das IVD korrelierte mit der QRSD (r=0,57, P=0,043) und dem QRSD-IVD-Verhältnis (r=-0,76, P=0,0024). Bei 27,8 % CRT Non-Responder (NR) (n=5) betrugen QRSD 157 ± 31,94 ms, IVD 56 ± 34,52 ms, QRSD-IVD-Verhältnis 3,88 ± 2,98 und das IVD korrelierte nicht mit der QRSD (r=0,33, P=0,591) und dem QRSD-IVD-Verhältnis (r=-0,732, P=0,159). Die CRT R verbesserten sich in der NYHA Klasse von 3 ± 0,2 auf 2,2 ± 0,3 (P<0,001) während 15,3 ± 13,1 Monaten BV Stimulation. Bei 15 CRT NR kam es zu keiner Verbesserung der NYHA Klasse von 3 auf 3,3 ± 0,97 (P=0,529) während 18,8 ± 20,7 Monaten BV Stimulation. Schlussfolgerungen: Das transösophageale LV EKG ermöglicht bei HF-P mit AFib die nichtinvasive Messung des elektrischen IVD präoperativ vor CRT. IVD und QRSD-IVD-Verhältnis sind möglicherweise einfach anwendbare Parameter zur Vorhersage von CRT R und CRT NR bei P mit AFib.

Elektrisches interventrikuläres und linksventrikuläres Delay bei rechtsventrikulärer Stimulation vor Aufrüstung auf biventrikuläre Stimulation (2017)

Heinke, Matthias ; Kühnert, Helmut ; Dannberg, Gudrun

Hintergrund: Das elektrische interventrikuläre Delay (IVD) ist bei Patienten (P) mit Herzinsuffizienz (HF), reduzierter linksventrikulärer (LV) Funktion und verbreitertem QRS Komplex von Bedeutung für den Erfolg der kardialen Resynchronisationstherapie (CRT). Die transösophageale LV Elektrokardiographie (EKG) ermöglicht die Bestimmung des elektrischen IVD und linksventrikulären Delays (LVD). Das Ziel der Studie besteht in der Untersuchung des transösophagealen elektrischen IVD, LVD und deren Verhältnis zur QRS Dauer bei rechtsventrikulärer (RV) Stimulation vor Aufrüstung auf eine biventrikuläre (BV) Stimulation. Methoden: Bei 11 HF P (Alter 69,0 ± 7,9 Jahre; 10 Männer und 1 Frau) mit DDD Schrittmacher (n=10), DDD Defibrillator (n=1) und RV Stimulation, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Klasse 3,0 ± 0,2, LV Ejektionsfraktion 24,5 ± 4,9 % und QRS-Dauer 228,2 ± 44,8 ms wurden das elektrische IVD als Intervall zwischen Beginn des QRS-Komplexes im Oberflächen EKG und Beginn des LV Signals im transösophagealen LV EKG und das elektrische LVD als Intervall zwischen Beginn und Ende des LV Signals im transösophagealen LV EKG präoperativ vor Aufrüstung auf CRT Defibrillator (n=8) und CRT Schrittmacher (n=3) bestimmt. Der Anstieg des arteriellen Pulse Pressure (PP) wurde zwischen RV Stimulation und transösophagealer LV Stimulation mit unterschiedlichem AV-Delay (n=5) vor Aufrüstung von RV auf BV Stimulation getestet. Ergebnisse: Bei RV Stimulation betrugen IVD 86,54 ± 32,80 ms, LVD 94,45 ± 23,80 ms, QRS-IVD-Verhältnis 2,63 ± 0,81 mit negativer Korrelation zwischen IVD und QRS-IVD-Verhältnis (r=-0,668 P=0,0248) (Fig.) und QRS-LVD-Verhältnis 2,33 ± 0,73. Vorhofsynchrone ventrikuläre Stimulation führte zu 63,6 ± 27,7 mmHg PP bei RV Stimulation und 80,6 ± 38,5 mmHg PP bei LV Stimulation und der PP erhöhte sich bei LV Stimulation mit optimalem AV Delay um 17 ± 11,2 mmHg gegenüber RV Stimulation (P<0,001). Nach Aufrüstung von RV Stimulation auf BV Stimulation verbesserten sich die NYHA Klasse von 3,1 ± 0,2 auf 2,2 ± 0,3 während 30,4 ± 29,6 Monaten CRT. Schlussfolgerungen: Das transösophageale LV EKG ermöglicht die Bestimmung des elektrischen IVD und LVD bei RV Stimulation zur Evaluierung der interventrikulären und linksventrikulären elektrischen Desynchronisation. IVD, LVD und deren Verhältnis zur QRS Dauer können möglicherweise zur Vorhersage einer CRT Response vor Aufrüstung von RV auf BV Stimulation genutzt werden.

Electrical Interatrial to Interventricular Conduction Delay Ratio with Focused Transesophageal Electrocardiography in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (2015)

Heinke, Matthias ; Dannberg, Gudrun ; Heinke, Tobias ; Ismer, Bruno ; Haber, Tobias ; Tumampos, Jonas ; Kühnert, Helmut

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established class I level A biventricular pacing therapy in chronic heart failure patients with left bundle branch block and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, but not all patients improved clinically. Purpose of the study was to evaluate electrical interatrial conduction delay (IACD) to interventricular conduction delay (IVCD) ratio with focused transesophageal left atrial and left ventricular electrocardiography. Methods: Thirty eight chronic heart failure patients (age 63.4±10.2 years; 3 females, 35 males) with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class 3.0±0.2 and 171.71±36.17ms QRS duration were analysed using posterior left atrial and left ventricular transesophageal electrocardiography with hemispherical electrodes before CRT. Electrical IACD was measured between onset of P-wave in the surface ECG and onset of left atrial signal. Electrical IVCD was measured between onset of QRS complex in the surface ECG and onset of left ventricular signal. Results: Electrical IACD and IVCD could be evaluated by transesophageal left atrial and left ventricular electrocardiography in all heart failure patients with correlation to 1.18±0.92 IACD-IVCD-ratio (r=-0.57, P<0.001; r=0.66, P<0.001). There were 32 CRT responder with reduction of NYHA class from 3.0±0.22 to 1.97±0.31 (P<0.001) during 16.5±18.9 month CRT with 75.19±33.49ms IACD, 78.91±24.73ms IVCD, 1.04±0.66 IACD-IVCD-ratio and correlation between IACD and IACDIVCD- ratio (r=0.84, P<0.001). There were 6 CRT nonresponder with no reduction of NYHA class from 3.0±0.3 to 2.9±0.5 during 14.3±13.7 month biventricular pacing, 50.0±28.26ms IVCD (P=0.014), 1.92±1.65 IACD-IVCD-ratio (P=0,029) and correlation between 67.0±24.9ms IACD and IACD-IVCD-ratio (r=0.85, P=0.031). Conclusions: Focused transesophageal left atrial and left ventricular electrocardiography can be utilized to analyse electrical IACD and IVCD in heart failure patients. IACDIVDC- ratio may be a useful parameter to evaluate electrical left cardiac desynchronization in heart failure patients.

Interventricular delay and left ventricular delay in right ventricular pacemaker pacing before upgrading to biventricular pacing (2017)

Heinke, Matthias ; Dannberg, Gudrun ; Kühnert, Helmut

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with biventricular (BV) pacing is an established therapy for heart failure (HF) patients (P) with sinus rhythm, reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and electrical ventricular desynchronization. The aim of the study was to evaluate electrical interventricular delay (IVD) and left ventricular delay (LVD) in right ventricular (RV) pacemaker pacing before upgrading to CRT BV pacing. Methods: HF P (n=11, age 69.0 ± 7.9 years, 1 female, 10 males) with DDD pacemaker (n=10), DDD defibrillator (n=1), RV pacing, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 3.0 ± 0.2 and 24.5 ± 4.9 % LVEF were measured by surface ECG and transesophageal bipolar LV ECG before upgrading to CRT defibrillator (n=8) and CRT pacemaker (n=3). IVD was measured between onset of QRS in the surface ECG and onset of LV signal in the transesophageal ECG. LVD was measured between onset and offset of LV signal in the transesophageal ECG. CRT atrioventricular (AV) and BV pacing delay were optimized by impedance cardiography. Results: Interventricular and intraventricular desynchronization in RV pacemaker pacing were 228.2 ± 44.8 ms QRS duration, 86.5 ± 32.8ms IVD, 94.4 ± 23.8ms LVD, 2.6 ± 0.8 QRS-IVD-ratio with correlation between IVD and QRS-IVD-ratio (r=-0.668 P=0.0248) and 2.3 ± 0.7 QRS-LVD-ratio. The LVEF-IVD-ratio was 0.3 ± 0.1 with correlation between IVD and LVEF-IVD-ratio (r=-0.8063 P=0.00272) and with correlation between QRS duration and LVEF-IVD-ratio (r=-0.7251 P=0.01157). Optimal sensing and pacing AV delay were 128.3 ± 24.8 ms AV delay after atrial sensing (n=6) and 173.3 ± 40.4 ms AV delay after atrial pacing (n=3). Optimal BV pacing delay was -4.3 ± 11.3 ms between LV and RV pacing (n=7). During 30.4 ± 29.6 month CRT follow-up, the NYHA class improved from 3.1 ± 0.2 to 2.2 ± 0.3. Conclusions: Transesophageal electrical IVD and LVD in RV pacemaker pacing may be additional useful ventricular desynchronization parameters to improve P selection for upgrading RV pacemaker pacing to CRT BV pacing.

Electrical Left Atrial Conduction Delay with Focused Transesophageal Electrocardiography in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (2015)

Heinke, Matthias ; Kühnert, Helmut ; Heinke, Tobias ; Tumampos, Jonas ; Dannberg, Gudrun

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established biventricular pacing therapy in heart failure patients with left bundle branch block and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, but not all patients improved clinically as CRT responder. Purpose of the study was to evaluate electrical left atrial conduction delay (LACD) with focused transesophageal electrocardiography in CRT responder and CRT non-responder. Methods: Twenty heart failure patients (age 66.6±8.2 years; 2 females, 18 males) with New York Heart Association functional class 3.0±0.3 and 174.2±40.2ms QRS duration were analysed using posterior left atrial transesophageal electrocardiography with hemispherical electrodes. Electrical LACD was measured between onset and offset of transesophageal left atrial signal before implantation of CRT devices. Results: Electrical LACD could be evaluated by bipolar transesophageal left atrial electrocardiography using TO Osypka electrode in all heart failure patients with negative correlation between 54.7±18.1ms LACD and 24.9±6.4% left ventricular ejection fraction (r=-0.65, P=0.002). There were 16 CRT responders with reduction of New York Heart Association functional class from 3.0±0.29 to 2.1±0.2 (r=0.522, P=0.038) during 9.41±10.96 month biventricular pacing and negative correlation between 49.6±14.2ms LACD and 26.0±6.2% left ventricular ejection fraction (r=-0.533, P=0.034). There were 4 CRT non-responders with no reduction of New York Heart Association functional class from 3.0±0.4 to 2.8±0.5 (r=0.816, P=0.184) during with 13.88±16.39 month biventricular pacing and no correlation between 75.25±19.17ms LACD and 20.75±6.4% left ventricular ejection fraction (r=-0.831, P=0.169). Conclusions: Focused transesophageal left atrial electrocardiography can be utilized to analyse electrical LACD in heart failure patients. LACD correlated negative with left ventricular ejection fraction in CRT responders. LACD may be a useful parameter to evaluate electrical left atrial desynchronization in heart failure patients.

Focused transesophageal left atrial and left ventricular pacing with different pacing mode for supraventricular tachycardia initiation and cardiac resynchronization therapy simulation (2012)

Heinke, Matthias ; Ismer, Bruno ; Kühnert, Helmut ; Melichercik, Juraj ; Heinke, Tobias ; Surber, Ralf ; Dannberg, Gudrun ; Prochnau, Dirk ; Figulla, Hans Reiner

Capture threshold (CT) for transesophageal left atrial (LA) pacing (TLAP) and transesophageal left ventricular (LV) pacing (TLVP) with conventional cylindrical electrodes (CE) are higher than TLAP feeling threshold (FT). Purpose of the study was to evaluate focused TLAP CT and FT for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) initiation and focused TLVP CT for cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) simulation. Methods: SVT initiation in patients (P) with palpitations (n=49, age 47 ± 17 years) was analysed during spontaneous rhythm and during focused bipolar TLAP with atrial constant current stimulus output, distal CE and three or seven 6 mm hemispherical electrodes (HE) (TO, Osypka AG, Rheinfelden, Germany). CRT simulation in heart failure P (n=75, age 62 ± 11 years) was evaluated by focused bipolar TLAP and/or TLVP with ventricular constant voltage stimulus output and different pacing mode. Results: Focused electrical pacing field between CE and HE (n=28) allowed low threshold TLAP with 8.0 ± 2.6 mA CT at 9.9 ms stimulus duration (SD) which was lower than 9.2 ± 4.5 mA FT at 9.9 ms SD. Focused electrical pacing field between HE and HE (n=21) allowed low threshold TLAP with 8.1 ± 2.2 mA CT at 9.9 ms SD which was lower than 9.8 ± 5.0 mA FT at 9.9 ms SD. SVT initiation by programmed AAI TLAP was possible in 23 P and not possible in 26 P. CRT simulation was evaluated with TLAP and TLVP with VAT, D00 and V00 pacing mode and 95.5 ± 10.9 V TLVP CT at 4.0 ms SD. Conclusions: Programmed focused AAI TLAP allowed initiation of SVT with very low CT and high FT and focused electrical pacing field between CE-HE and HE-HE.CRT simulation with focused TLAP and/or TLVP with VAT, D00 and V00 pacing mode may be a useful technique to detect responders to CRT.

Bipolar Transesophageal Left Ventricular Electrocardiography and Directed Electrical Pacing with Cylindrical and Hemispherical Electrodes to Select Patients for Biventricular Pacing (2010)

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

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 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.

Prä- und postoperative Bestimmung des elektrischen linksventrikulären Delays bei kardialen Resynchronisationstherapie Respondern und Nonrespondern (2013)

Heinke, Matthias ; Ismer, Bruno ; Kühnert, Helmut ; Dannberg, Gudrun ; Figulla, Hans Reiner

Electrical interventricular delay and left ventricular delay in right ventricular pacemaker pacing before upgrading to cardiac resynchronization therapy (2017)

Heinke, Matthias ; Dannberg, Gudrun ; Heinke, Tobias ; Hörth, Johannes ; Kühnert, Helmut

Semi-invasive left cardiac pacing and electrocardiography – cardiac resynchronization therapy improvement can be predicted by pacing? (2011)

Heinke, Matthias ; Ismer, Bruno ; Wehsener, Ingolf ; Kühnert, Helmut ; Heinke, Tobias ; Surber, Ralf ; Dannberg, Gudrun ; Figulla, Hans Reiner

Introduction: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with left ventricular (LV) pacing is an established therapy for heart failure (HF) patients (P) with ventricular desynchronisation and reduced LV ejection fraction (EF). The aim of this study was to test the utilization of the transesophageal approach to measure arterial pulse pressure (PP) during LV pacing and electrical interventricular conduction delay (IVCD), to better select patients for CRT. Methods: 32 HF patients (age 64 ± 10 years; 5 females, 27 males) with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 2.8 ± 0.6, 27 ± 11 % LV EF and 155 ± 35 ms QRS duration were analysed with semi-invasive left cardiac pacing and electrocardiography. Esophageal TO8 Osypka catheter of 10.5 F diameter was perorally applied to the esophagus and placed in the position of maximum left atrial (LA) deflection and maximum LV deflection to measure PP with VAT or D00 pacing modes. Results: Temporary transesophageal LV pacing was possible with VAT mode (n=16) and D00 mode (n=16) in all patients. In 15 Δ-PP-responders, PP was higher during LV pacing on than LV pacing off (78.3 ± 26.6 versus 65.9 ± 23.7 mmHg, P < 0.001) and NYHA class improved from 3.1 ± 0.35 to 2.1 ± 0.35 (P < 0.001) during 29 ± 26 month biventricular (BV) pacing follow-up (6 Medtronic and 9 Boston BV pacing devices). In 17 Δ-PP-non-responders, PP was not higher during LV pacing on than LV pacing off (61.5 ± 23.9 versus 60.9 ± 23.5 mmHg, P = 0.066). IVCD was significant longer in Δ-PP-responders than in Δ-PP-non-responders (87 ± 33 ms versus 37± 29 ms, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Semi-invasive transesophageale LA and LV pacing with D00 and VAT mode and LV electrogram recording may be useful techniques to predict CRT improvement.

Bipolar Transesophageal Left Atrial Electrocardiography and Rapid Left Atrial Pacing with Hemispherical Directed Electrical Pacing Field for Evaluation and Termination of Atrial Flutter (2010)

Heinke, Matthias ; Ismer, Bruno ; Heinke, Tobias ; Kühnert, Helmut ; Surber, Ralf ; Prochnau, Dirk ; Haltenberger, Anna ; Dannberg, Gudrun ; Figulla, Hans Reiner

Termination of atrial flutter (AFL) is not possible in all AFL patients (P) with transesophageal left atrial pacing (TLAP) with undirected electrical pacing field (EPF) and high atrial pacing threshold. Purpose of the study was to evaluate bipo-lar transesophageal left atrial electrocardiography (TLAE) and TLAP with directed EPF for evaluation and termination of AFL with and without simultaneous transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Methods: AFL P were analysed using either a TO electrode with one cylindrical (CE) and three or seven hemispherical electrodes (HE) or TEE electrode with four HE (Osypka, Rheinfelden, Germany). Burst TLAP cycle length was between 200msand 50ms. Results: AFL cycle length was 233±30 ms with mean ventricular cycle length of 540±149 ms. AFL could be terminated by rapid bipolar TLAP with directed EPF using HE-HE and CE-HE with induction of atrial fibrillation (AF), induction of AF and spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm and direct conversion to sinus rhythm. Directed EPF was simulated with finite element method. Conclusions: AFL can be evaluated by bipolar TLAE. AFL can be terminated with rapid TLAP with directed EPF with and without simultaneous TEE. Bipolar TLAE with rapid TLAP is a safe, simple and useful method for evaluation and termination of AFL.

Ventrikuläre Desynchronisation mit und ohne ischämische Herzerkrankung bei Resynchronisationsrespondern (2013)

Heinke, Matthias ; Ismer, Bruno ; Dannberg, Gudrun ; Heinke, Tobias ; Kühnert, Helmut

Das Ausmaß der elektrischen ventrikulären Desynchronisation bei reduzierter linksventrikulärer Funktion ist von Bedeutung für den Erfolg der Resynchronisationstherapie der Herzinsuffizienz mit biventrikulärer Stimulation. Das Ziel der Untersuchung besteht in der nichtinvasiven Messung der elektrischen inter-ventrikulären Desynchronisation mit und ohne ischämische Herzerkrankung bei kardialen Resynchronisationstherapie Respondern. Bei Patienten mit 25,3 ± 7,3 % reduzierter linksventrikulärer Ejektionsfraktion und 166,9 ± 38,5 ms QRS-Dauer wurde das transösophageale linksventrikuläre EKG abgeleitet. Die QRS-Dauer korrelierte mit dem interventrikulären und links-ventrikulären Delay bei Resynchronisationstherapie Respondern mit nicht-ischämischer Herzerkrankung.

Optimization of atrioventricular and interventricular pacing delay in biventricular pacing with different left ventricular electrode position (2014)

Heinke, Matthias ; Dannberg, Gudrun ; Solbrig, Olaf ; Querengässer, Jürgen ; Kühnert, Helmut

Cardiac resynchronization therapy with atrioventricular and interventricular pacing delay optimized biventricular pacing is an established therapy for heart failure patients with sinus rhythm and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The aim of the study was to evaluate atrioventricular and interventricular pacing delay optimization in cardiac resynchroniza-tion therapy by transthoracic impedance cardiography in biventricular pacing with different left ventricular electrode po-sition. In biventricular pacing heart failure patients with lateral, posterolateral and anterolateral left ventricular electrode position, the mean optimal atrioventricular sening delay was 108.6 ± 20.3 ms and the mean optimal interventricular pac-ing delay -12.3 ± 25.9 ms. Transthoracic impedance cardiography may be a useful technique to optimize atrioventricular and interventricular pacing delay in biventricular pacing with different left ventricular electrode position.

Transösophageales interventrikuläres Delay bei Vorhofflimmern und kardialer Resynchronisation (2013)

Heinke, Matthias ; Ismer, Bruno ; Kühnert, Helmut ; Heinke, Tobias ; Dannberg, Gudrun ; Figulla, Hans Reiner

Die transösophageale linksventrikuläre Elektrokardiographie ermöglicht die Evaluierung der elektrischen ventrikulären Desynchronisation im Rahmen der kardialen Resynchronisationstherapie der Herzinsuffizienz. Das Ziel der Untersuchung besteht in der präoperativen Abschätzung des transösophagealen interventrikulären Delays bei Vorhofflimmern und kardialer Resynchronisationstherapie. Bei Patienten mit Vorhofflimmern, Herzinsuffizienz New York Heart Association Klasse 3,0 ± 0,2 und QRS-Dauer 159,6 ± 23,9 ms wurde das fokusierte transösophageale linksventrikuläre EKG abgeleitet. Die kardiale Resynchronisationstherapie Responder QRS-Dauer korrelierte mit dem transösophagealen interventrikulären Delay bei Vorhofflimmern.

Ventricular desynchronization with electrical interventricular delay to left ventricular delay ratio in atrial fibrillation heart failure patients (2014)

Heinke, Matthias ; Dannberg, Gudrun ; Heinke, Tobias ; Kühnert, Helmut

Cardiac resynchronization therapy is an established therapy for heart failure patients with sinus rhythm, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and prolongation of QRS duration. The aim of the study was to evaluate ventricular desynchronization with electrical interventricular delay (IVD) to left ventricular delay (LVD) ratio in atrial fibrillation heart failure patients. IVD and LVD were measured by transesophageal posterior left ventricular ECG recording. In atrial fibrillation heart failure patients with prolonged QRS duration, the mean IVD-to-LVD-ratio was 0.84 +/- 0.42 with a range from 0.17 to 2.2 IVD-to-LVD-ratio. IVD-to-LVD-ratio correlated with QRS duration. IVD-to-LVD-ratio may be a useful parameter to evaluate electrical ventricular desynchronization in atrial fibrillation heart failure patients.

Left ventricular conduction delay and biventricular pacing delay in cardiac resynchronisation therapy responder and non-responder (2013)

Heinke, Matthias ; Ismer, Bruno ; Kühnert, Helmut ; Gorißen, Bernhard ; Müller, D. ; Dannberg, Gudrun ; Figulla, Hans Reiner

Interatriales und interventrikuläres elektrisches Delay Verhältnis bei kardialen Resynchronisationstherapie Respondern und Nonrespondern mit Sinusrhythmus (2015)

Heinke, Matthias ; Dannberg, Gudrun ; Kühnert, Helmut