Key result
DDD pacing at 75 bpm lowers central systolic BP by ~7 mmHg vs. 55 bpm.
Why the study?
Prior cardiac pacemaker studies on heart rate and central blood pressure have predominantly used acute designs, limiting generalisability to long-term settings.
Does long-term pacing at a moderately accelerated rate (DDD 75 bpm) reduce central systolic blood pressure compared to a slightly bradycardic rate (DDD 55 bpm) in permanently paced older patients with sinus node dysfunction and hypertension?
RCT (n=22)
Single-blind
Crossover
No
Does long-term pacing at a moderately accelerated rate (DDD 75 bpm) reduce central systolic blood pressure compared to a slightly bradycardic rate (DDD 55 bpm) in permanently paced older patients with sinus node dysfunction and hypertension?
In patients with sinus node dysfunction and hypertension, pacing at a moderately accelerated physiological rate (75 bpm) is associated with lower central systolic blood pressure compared to pacing at 55 bpm over an 8-week period.
Higher pacing rates may lower central SBP in paced hypertensive patients with SND; extends acute studies but leaves open outcome benefits.
Background and Objectives: Prior cardiac pacemaker studies examining the relationship between heart rate and central (aortic) blood pressure (BP) have predominantly used acute designs, limiting generalisability to long-term settings. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effects of two clinically realistic pacing rate strategies on the central BP profile in permanently paced sinus node dysfunction (SND) patients in sinus rhythm and on antihypertensive medication. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, single-centre, randomised, single-blind, exploratory crossover clinical trial, the study participants completed two eight-week intervention periods (DDD 55 and 75 bpm) separated by a two-week washout. Office peripheral and central haemodynamics were measured at baseline and at the end of each period non-invasively with an oscillometric cuff-based device (SphygmoCor XCEL). Results: The study included 22 subjects (median age 76 (IQR 73–78) years, 16 women). At DDD 55 bpm, central systolic BP (primary outcome) was higher than at DDD 75 bpm (mean 127.8 ± 13.4 and 121.3 ± 10.6 mmHg, respectively, p = 0.04), whereas systolic BP amplification (peripheral systolic BP—central systolic BP) and pulse pressure (PP) amplification (peripheral PP/central PP) were lower (systolic BP amplification: mean 8.5 ± 3.2 and 10.1 ± 2.9 mmHg, respectively, p = 0.02; PP amplification: mean 1.2 ± 0.1 and 1.3 ± 0.1, respectively, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Long-term pacing at a moderately accelerated physiological rate may be associated with lower central systolic BP compared with pacing at a slightly bradycardic rate, in older permanently paced SND patients with hypertension.
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Joonsalu et al. (2026) conducted an RCT in Sinus node dysfunction and hypertension (n=22). Pacing at DDD 75 bpm vs. Pacing at DDD 55 bpm was evaluated on Central systolic blood pressure (p=0.04). Pacing at DDD 75 bpm resulted in a lower central systolic blood pressure compared to pacing at DDD 55 bpm (121.3 vs 127.8 mmHg, p=0.04) in patients with sinus node dysfunction.
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