Abstract
Background: Diastolic dysfunction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are associated with myocardial fibrosis and concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). In a preclinical model of LVH, we demonstrated that a moderate increase in heart rate can reduce interstitial fibrosis and improve LV compliance. We therefore hypothesized that moderately elevated heart rates can be used to beneficially modify the myocardial substrate in patients with diastolic dysfunction and HFpEF. As a preliminary step to test this hypothesis, we evaluated if patients can tolerate this novel pacemaker-based treatment approach without adverse effects. Methods and Results: A pacemaker-mediated increase in heart rate to 100 beats/min for 5 hours at night was tested over 4 weeks in 10 patients with diastolic dysfunction. The patients underwent a physical examination, biomarker collection, 6-minute walk test, heart failure questionnaire, and echocardiography before and after the pacing intervention. None of the patients reported any symptoms at night. No arrhythmias were induced. Eight patients completed the protocol. Three patients experienced unanticipated daytime pacing from an interfering pacemaker function. There were no detrimental changes in biomarkers or LV systolic function. Conclusions: Nocturnal pacing at a rate of 100 beats/min appears to be safe and well tolerated in this small exploratory patient cohort.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 67-71 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of cardiac failure |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2019 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Medtronic supported this research project. The University of Vermont has filed for intellectual property protection for the use of pacemakers to prevent and treat HFpEF.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Elsevier Inc.
Keywords
- Heart Failure
- Heart Rate
- Night Pacing
- Pacemaker
- Preserved Ejection Fraction