High Intensity His Bundle Pacing in Heart Failure Patients With Narrow QRS Outcome Study

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) decreases heart failure hospitalizations and mortality and increases left ventricular Ejection Fraction (EF) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, left bundle branch block and QRS duration >130msec. His bundle pacing has a similar effect in this category of patients. However, CRT is not beneficial in heart failure (HF) patients with narrow QRS. His-bundle pacing delivers physiological ventricular activation and has been shown to improve acute hemodynamic function in patients with heart failure, a prolonged PR interval, and either a narrow QRS or Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB) through atrioventricular (AV) delay optimization. We observed an acute hemodynamic effect during application of higher pacing output (3.5 Volts/1 msec) in HF patients with dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy and narrow QRS independently of the paced QRS duration or AV delay shortening.

This is a single-center, prospective randomized single-blinded study, recruiting a sub-population of patients with heart failure (dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy, EF<50%, narrow QRS (<110 msec), in optimal medical treatment who have an indication for ICD.

All patients will be implanted with a CRT (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy) defibrillator with one of the leads positioned on the His bundle to obtain direct His-bundle capture. (There will be a 1-month run-in period where the output voltage will be 3.5 Volts/1 or 2V/1msec according to the group so as to obtain stable threshold).

A single-blinded design will then be employed to investigate the effect of His bundle pacing. Patients will be allocated in random order to six-month treatment periods in each of the following two states (1) 3.5 Volts/1 msec pacing output direct His-bundle pacing, AV delay will be programmed in order to obtain a PR interval of 120-140msec; (2)back up only pacing (pacemaker programmed to VVI 30 bpm or AAI(R-DDD(R) 60bpm). Endpoint measurements will be taken at baseline, 1 month run-in period of 3.5 Volts/1 msec or 2V/1msec pacing output and 6 months post randomization. Treating Physicians will be aware of assignment in order to facilitate routine device follow-up. Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic evaluation will be performed in a blinded manner. Treatment allocation will be blinded to the endpoint assessor and the patient.

Patients entering the study will attend for implantation of a CRT pacemaker device with one lead positioned on the His bundle. This will be performed in Miulli General Hospital (and other participating centres) no later than 2 months after the patient's screening visit.

Before the intervention patients will be randomized to either receive active pacing treatment with 3.5 V/1 msec or back up only pacing (pacemaker programmed to VVI 30 bpm or AAI(R)-DDD(R) 60) for 6 months. All patients will be implanted with an Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and an ICD lead in the right ventricle (RV) (either RV apex or RV septum). In all patients a pacing lead will be positioned in the right atrium (typically the right atrial appendage). All patients will have a pacemaker lead positioned on the His bundle to obtain direct His-bundle capture.

After implantation of the device there will be a 1-month run-in period that the device will be programmed to deliver His bundle pacing therapy during this period at 3.5 Volts/1msec or 2V/1msec according to the assignment group.

One month after patients are implanted with their device, patients will either receive active pacing treatment with 3.5 V/1 msec or back up only pacing (pacemaker programmed to VVI 30 bpm or AAI(R)-DDD(R) 60bpm) for 6 months. Treatment allocation will be obtained using an Interactive Web Response System (IWRS) programmed with a randomization schedule provided by the trial statistician. Appropriate blocking will be used.

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 18 or above
• Ventricular Ejection Fraction (EF) < 50%; BNP needs to be ≥250ng/L or N Terminal-pro BNP≥600ng/L for patients with EF 36-50% and they should have an ICD indication
• New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I-IV
• Narrow QRS duration (≤110ms) on 12 lead ECG

Exclusion criteria

• Other serious medical condition with life expectancy of less than 1 year
• Lack of capacity to consent
• Pregnancy
• Previous aortic valve surgery