Optimal atrioventricular (AV) pacing interval during temporary AV sequential pacing after cardiac surgery

Temporary dual chamber atrioventricular (AV) pacing is often used to increase cardiac output (CO) after cardiac surgery. The AV interval was varied to investigate the effect on CO in 13 patients. CO was computed from the Fick principle using mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), hemoglobin, and oxygen consumption (VO2). AV intervals were varied randomly from 0.025 to 0.300 seconds in 0.025-second increments. The effect on CO from increasing the AV interval was dependent on the control CO. In all patients, as the AV interval was increased from 0.025 to 0.100 seconds, CO progressively increased. In most patients, the highest (optimal) CO occurred with AV pacing and averaged 300 mL/min greater than with atrial (A) pacing alone (P < .0001). In patients with a high initial CO (> 6.0 L/min), CO peaked and averaged 0.5 L/min more than with A pacing. CO was maximal for each of these patients at a unique AV interval between 0.100 and 0.225 seconds, and at intervals greater than 0.225 seconds CO decreased (P < .01). In patients with intermediate CO (4-6 L/min) at AV intervals greater than 0.100 seconds, a plateau in CO was reached. No consistent pattern was seen in patients with low initial CO (< 4.0 L/min). Maximal CO may be achieved by optimizing the AV interval in patients following cardiac surgery. The optimal AV interval is between 0.100 and 0.225 seconds and is different for each patient. Continuous SvO2 monitoring allows rapid evaluation of CO changes and optimization of the AV pacing interval.