Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy on ventricular repolarization: a meta-analysis
1Department of Cardiology, The First People's Hospital of Hangzhou; Hangzhou-China. duanxu410@yahoo.com.cn.
Insights
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) does not worsen ventricular repolarization with biventricular pacing. However, left ventricular pacing may prolong the Tp-e interval, indicating a potential proarrhythmic effect.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is used to treat heart failure.
- Previous studies on CRT's effect on ventricular repolarization yielded inconsistent results.
- Concerns exist regarding a potential proarrhythmic effect of CRT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of CRT on ventricular repolarization.
- To clarify the impact of biventricular (BV) and left ventricular (LV) pacing on repolarization parameters.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of 14 studies was performed.
- Investigated the effect of CRT on QT interval (QT), JT interval (JT), QT dispersion (QTD), and Tp-e interval.
- Compared pacing modes (BV, LV) with intrinsic ventricular rhythm.
Main Results:
- Biventricular pacing showed no significant difference in QT, JT, or Tp-e compared to intrinsic rhythm.
- QT dispersion (QTD) was lower with BV pacing, though significance was ambiguous (p=0.05).
- Left ventricular pacing significantly prolonged the Tp-e interval (p=0.03) compared to intrinsic rhythm.
Conclusions:
- Biventricular pacing in CRT does not appear to have a proarrhythmic effect on ventricular repolarization.
- Left ventricular pacing may prolong the Tp-e interval, suggesting a potential proarrhythmic risk.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the repolarization effects of different CRT pacing strategies.
Objective:
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) was thought to have a proarrhythmic effect on ventricular repolarization. But the results of previous studies were inconsistent. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of CRT on ventricular repolarization.
Methods:
A meta-analysis of studies focused on the effect of CRT on ventricular repolarization in patients undergoing CRT was conducted. Endpoints including QT interval (QT), JT interval (JT), QT dispersion(QTD) and interval between the peak to end of T wave (Tp-e).
Results:
A total of 14 studies were included in our meta-analysis. After pooling the data, no significant difference was observed in QT, JT and Tp-e between biventricular (BV) pacing and intrinsic ventricular rhythm. BV paced QTD was lower than intrinsic QTD, but the significance was ambiguous [mean difference (MD): -17.33, 95% CI -34.44 to -0.22, p=0.05]. Left ventricular (LV) paced Tp-e was significantly longer than intrinsic Tp-e (MD: 21.44, 95% CI 2.37 to 40.51, p=0.03). No significant difference was observed in QT, JT and QTD between LV pacing and intrinsic ventricular rhythm.
Conclusion:
In patients undergoing CRT, BV pacing has no deteriorating effect on ventricular repolarization, but LV pacing has a prolonging effect on Tp-e.
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