The Effect of Diuresis on the Paced QRS Complexes in Pacing-Dependent Patients with Heart Failure

Augmentation of the amplitude of QRS complexes with diuretic therapy for patients with congestive heart failure has been well documented. However, the effect of diuresis on the paced QRS complexes in pacing-dependent patients with heart failure is scarce.

To investigate the effect of diuresis on the paced QRS complexes in pacing-dependent patients with heart failure.

Thrity-two consecutive pacing-dependent patients with heart failure were enrolled in this study. Before and after diuresis, the sums of paced QRS amplitude of leads I+II (ΣpQRSI+II ), six limb leads (ΣpQRS6L ), leads V1 -V3 (ΣpQRSV1-V3 ), leads V4 -V6 (ΣpQRSV4-V6 ), leads V1 -V6 (ΣpQRSV1-V6 ), and lead aVR (pQRSaVR ), paced QRS duration (pQRSd ), paced QT intervals (pQT) and the body weight of each patient were measured, then the % changes (Δ%) in paced electrocardiogram (ECG) variables and the Δ% in body weight were evaluated.

Compared with before diuresis, paced ECG variables significantly increased and body weight significantly decreased after diuresis, Δ% in paced QRS amplitude(s) in all ECG variables (ΣpQRSI+II, ΣpQRS6L, ΣpQRSV1-V3 , ΣpQRSV4-V6 , ΣpQRSV1-V6 , and pQRSaVR ) correlated well with Δ% in body weight (r = 0.416, r = 0.849, r = 0.901, r = 0.371, r = 0.837, r = 0.619, and P = 0.018, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.037, P < 0.001, P < 0.001), while there was no correlation between Δ% in pQRSd and pQT and Δ% in body weight.

The changes in amplitude of paced QRS complexes may be useful for the monitoring of therapy of pacing-dependent patients with heart failure.