Double chamber rate responsive pacing (DDDMR) yielded significantly higher efficiency during maximal stress testing compared to VVIMR pacing, though other cardiopulmonary parameters were similar.
RCT (n=7)
Randomized crossover
Does double chamber rate responsive cardiac pacing (DDDMR) improve cardiopulmonary performance during exercise compared to single chamber rate responsive pacing (VVIMR) in patients with AV block or sinus node disease?
Double chamber rate responsive pacing provides a slight improvement in cardiopulmonary efficiency during exercise compared to single chamber pacing, highlighting the importance of atrial contribution to cardiac output.
A new double chamber rate responsive cardiac pacemaker (DDDMR) has been implanted in seven patients (four males and three females) with a mean age of 62 years. Indication for pacemaker treatment was complete AV block in two patients, complete AV block associated to sinus node disease in three patients and sinus node disease alone in two patients. Six patients underwent two maximal stress tests on a cycloergometer performed twice randomly starting with VVIMR or DDDMR. Basic work load of 50 watts was increased by steps of 25 watts every 2 minutes. Heart rate, respiratory frequency, blood pressure, exercise duration, maximal charge developed, oxygen consumption, rate pressure product, efficiency and Borg scale were compared. Our results show a general trend but no significant differences between all the measured parameters except for efficiency which was significantly higher with DDDMR. These results prove a slight improvement of cardiopulmonary performance in DDDMR pacing compared to VVIMR and also confirm the importance of atrial contribution to cardiac output on exercise.
Vogt et al. (1988) conducted an RCT in Complete AV block and/or sinus node disease (n=7). Double chamber rate responsive cardiac pacing (DDDMR) vs. Single chamber rate responsive pacing (VVIMR) was evaluated on Cardiopulmonary performance parameters during maximal stress test (including efficiency, oxygen consumption, and exercise duration). Double chamber rate responsive pacing (DDDMR) yielded significantly higher efficiency during maximal stress testing compared to VVIMR pacing, though other cardiopulmonary parameters were similar.