Multisensory principle of heart rate regulation

We analyzed metabolic parameters during exercise in two groups of patients with implanted dual sensor VVIR. The first group was comprised of 14 patients (mean age 37.7 years) with implanted Topaz pacemakers and the second of 9 patients with a Legend Plus pacemaker (mean age 44.7 years). A control group consisted of 54 healthy individuals (mean age 40.4 years). Testing was performed on treadmill, using a stepwise staircase loading CAEP protocol. The following directly measured and mathematically calculated parameters we used in assessing the metabolic impact of pacemaker function: minute ventilation (MV), MV/body surface, MV/body mass unit, oxygen consumption, oxygen consumption/body surface, oxygen consumption/heart rate (oxygen pulse), oxygen consumption/body mass unit, carbon dioxide production, respiratory index. For the majority of the observed parameters statistically significant difference was not found between the control group and the patients with dual sensor nor single sensor controlled rate response. However, oxygen pulse showed a statistically significant difference when comparing the group with single sensor controlled rate response with dual sensor controlled rate response as well as to the control group (p < 0.05). Also, the time of reaching the anaerobic threshold, as well as the duration of the exercise test were significantly longer in dual sensor guided rate. Since these pacemakers are particularly aimed at a population of still active patients, this finding confirms their contribution to the better quality of life and justifies their use in these patients.