Is the right ventricular function affected by permanent pacemaker?

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background The effect of right ventricular (RV) pacing on left ventricular (LV) function has been extensively evaluated, and so has the effect of the RV pacing lead on tricuspid valve function. However, the effects on RV function per se have not been evaluated systematically. Purpose We aimed to assess the RV dimensions and RV function six months after dual chamber pacemaker implantation performed for atrioventricular (AV) block by detailed echocardiography, including three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography. Method All adult patients undergoing dual chamber pacemaker from January 2018 to March 2019 for symptomatic AV block with a structurally normal heart were included in the study. They underwent pre-procedure detailed echocardiography specifically directed at measuring RV dimensions and function [including 3D RV ejection fraction (EF)] and a repeat detailed echocardiogram at six-month follow-up, by the same echocardiographer. The echocardiographic parameters at baseline and after six-month follow-up were compared. Results All patients had more than 75% ventricular pacing in these six months. At six-month follow-up, there was no significant change in LVEF, while there was a mild decrease in RVEF as outlined in the Table 1. While there was some overlap between RVEF range of values at baseline and after six months, 23 (38.3%) patients showed a drop in RVEF by >5%. Conclusion Our study shows a change in several RV function parameters in a majority of patients six months after pacemaker implantation for AV block. RV Function at six month follow-up Parameters Pre-procedure Six-Month Follow-up p value (Paired t-test) PASP (mm Hg) 20.2 ± 1.3 26.1 ± 12.2 <0.001 FAC (%) 42.6 ± 3.4 39.4 ± 6 <0.001 TAPSE (mm) 18.4 ±3.8 15.6 ± 4.7 <0.001 RIMP 0.66 ± 0.09 0.61 ± 0.11 0.003 RV E/E’ 9.4 ± 2.1 7.7 ± 2.1 <0.001 RV S’ 13.6 ± 2.4 10.7 ± 2.4 <0.001 RVEF % [By 3D Echocardiography] 47.7± 5.1 44.9 ± 7.4 <0.001 TR Jet Area (cm2) 0.03 ± 0.26 0.55 ± 0.96 <0.001 RV= Right Ventricle; RA= Right Atrium; RVOT = Right Ventricular Outflow Tract; PASP = Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure; FAC= Fractional Area Change; TAPSE= Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion; RIMP = Right Ventricular Index of Myocardial Performance; TR = Tricuspid Regurgitation S’ = Peak Systolic Annular Velocity; RVEF = Right Ventricular Ejection Fraction; 3D = Three Dimensional Abstract Figure. Change in RVEF in 6 months