Impact of His bundle pacing versus right ventricle pacing on right
ventricular performance in patients undergoing permanent pacemaker
implantation
Abstract
Introduction. His Bundle pacing (HBP) is an emerging pacing technique
that reproduces a more physiological ventricular synchronization than
right ventricle pacing (RVP). However, its effects on the right
ventricle (RV) performance are still unknown. Methods. In this
observational study, we enrolled 84 patients (mean age 75.1±7.9 years,
64% male) with indication for pacemaker implantation to compare the
effects of HBP versus RVP on RV performance. 42 patients (50%)
underwent successful HBP and 42 patients (50%) apical RVP. Patients
were evaluated both at baseline and after six months by transthoracic
echocardiogram. Results. At six months follow up, we found a significant
improvement in RV-GLS (baseline: HBP -17.2±4.7 vs. RVP -16.1±3.7 to
6-months: HBP -19.5±4.2 vs. RVP -13.6±2.9, p=<0.0001) and
RV-FAC (baseline: HBP 33.8±3.9% vs. RVP 33.3±5.3% to 6-months: HBP
36.2±3.7% vs. RVP 30.9±5.1 %, p=<0.0001) with HBP whereas
RVP was associated with a significant decline in both parameters.
Moreover, RVP was associated with a significant worsening of TAPSE
(baseline: HBP 20.2±4.1 mm vs. RVP 21.2±4.3 mm to 6-months: HBP 20.3±3.8
mm vs. RVP 18.5±3.5 mm, p=0.014) and tricuspid S wave velocity
(baseline: HBP 11.2±2.9 cm/sec vs. RVP 11.8±2.3 cm/sec to 6-months: HBP
11.3±2.2 cm/sec vs. RVP 10.3±1.9 mm, p <0.0001) compared to
HBP. Conversely from RVP, HBP significantly improved PASP (baseline: HBP
36.7±7.3 mmHg vs. RVP 34.6±6.1 mmHg to 6-months: HBP 32.4±5.9 mmHg vs.
RVP 38.7±5.6 mmHg, p<0.0001) and tricuspid regurgitation
(p=0.005) at six-months. Conclusions. HBP ensues a beneficial and
protective impact on RV performance compared with RVP.