Quality-of-life in DDDR pacing: atrioventricular synchrony or rate adaptation?

Although differences in exercise performance have been observed between different rate adaptive modes, the relative impact of atrioventricular (AV) synchrony and rate adaptation on quality of life (QOL) have not been determined. Thirty-three patients with either sinoatrial disease (18) or complete atrioventricular (AV) block (15) received DDDR pacemakers (16 minute ventilation sensing, 17 activity sensing). There were 11 males and 22 females, with a mean age of 66 +/- 1 (range 39-78) years. The study was a double-blind, triple cross-over study comparing DDDR, DDD, and VVIR modes. At the end of each 8-week study period in each mode, QOL was assessed by a questionnaire evaluating patients' functional class (Classes I-IV), physical malaise inventory (41 items), illness perception (43 items), and overall QOL rating based on a 48 items measure covering different aspects of the patients' daily life adjustment. Two patients required early crossover from VVIR mode during the study. Patients experienced significantly fewer physical malaise such as temperature intolerance, dyspnea, and palpitations in the DDDR mode, compared with either DDD or VVIR pacing. DDDR pacing reduced the perception of illness in 5 of 43 items compared to VVIR pacing, and improved stamina and appetite compared to DDD pacing. The overall QOL score was 102 +/- 2, 105 +/- 2, 113 +/- 2 in the DDDR, DDD, and VVIR modes, respectively, with a higher score indicating a poorer QOL (DDDR/DDD vs VVIR, P < 0.02). There was no change in functional classes between the three pacing modes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)