Septal versus apical pacing sites in permanent right ventricular pacing: The multicentre prospective SEPTAL-PM study.

Background: The optimal right ventricular pacing site for patients requiring pacemaker implantation for permanent atrioventricular block is a matter of debate. Long-term right ventricular apical pacing has been associated with left ventricular ejection fraction impairment and heart failure. Right ventricular septal pacing has been proposed as an alternative.

Concordance between mechanical and electrical dyssynchrony in heart failure patients: a function of the underlying cardiomyopathy?

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves heart failure (HF) symptoms through a reduction of cardiac mechanical dyssynchrony. Mechanical dyssynchrony is currently estimated by electrical dyssynchrony (QRS duration). It is known that electrical and mechanical dyssynchrony are not well correlated in HF patients.

[Managing bradycardia in adults].

Bradycardia represents a common cause of requirement for specialist advice and it looks sometimes difficult to evaluate its pathological criteria and its medical management. The authors remind the physiological mechanisms and their aetiologies, cardiac or not. Many complementary exams can be employed but a rigorous strategy is necessary, based on the use of electrocardiogram, Holter ECG, implantable loop recorder, stress test, cardiac echography, tilt testing, electrophysiological study.

Acute effects of biventricular pacing on right ventricular function assessed by tissue Doppler imaging.

Aims: The benefits of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on functional status, left ventricular (LV) remodelling and survival in patients with drug-refractory congestive heart failure (CHF), LV systolic dysfunction, and wide QRS have been demonstrated in randomized trials. However, the impact of CRT on right ventricular (RV) function, an independent prognostic factor in CHF remains questionable. This study examined the acute effects of various pacing modes on RV function in recipients of CRT systems.

Clinical and electrocardiographic predictors of a positive response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in advanced heart failure.

Aims: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective treatment for refractory congestive heart failure (CHF). However, up to 30% of patients do not respond to CRT. The aim of this study was to identify clinical and electrocardiographic (ECG) predictors of a positive response to CRT.