Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-vdxz6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T03:11:29.007Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Exercise performance in young patients with complete atrioventricular block: the relevance of synchronous atrioventricular pacing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 January 2016

M. Cecilia Gonzalez Corcia*
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Bruxelles, Belgium
Lorraine Saint Remy
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Bruxelles, Belgium
Sebastien Marchandise
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Bruxelles, Belgium
Stephane Moniotte
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Bruxelles, Belgium
*
Correspondence to: M. C. Gonzalez, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200 Bruxelles, Belgium. Tel: +003227641380; Fax: +003227648911; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

At present, there are many pacing strategies for young patients with complete atrioventricular block. The most frequent policy is to attempt placing a dual-chamber system when possible; however, there is a group of patients that is functioning with a non-synchronous ventricular pacing, raising the question of the ideal timing to upgrade their systems. We investigated the exercise performance of a group of children and young adults with complete atrioventricular block and dual-chamber pacemakers in both single- and dual-chamber pacing modalities. A total of 15 patients performed maximal exercise stress testing after programming the VVIR or DDD modes with 2 hours of interval in a double-blind study protocol.

Compared with VVIR pacing, DDD pacing resulted in increase in the peak VO2, longer test duration, major increase in the heart rate achieved during peak exercise, decreased systemic non-invasive arterial blood pressure measured at maximal exercise, higher maximal workload, prolongation of the anaerobic threshold timing, and better self-rated performance perception in all the patients.

Synchronous atrioventricular pacing contributes to an increase in both the exercise performance and the performance perception in 100% of the patients. This difference contributes to create a sense of “fitness” with repercussions in the overall health, self-esteem, and life quality, as well as encourages youngster to practice sports. Our experience tends to favour upgrading patients’ systems to dual-chamber systems before reaching the adolescent years, even if the centre policy is to prolong as long as possible the epicardial site in order to avoid long years of right ventricular pacing.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Epstein, AE, DiMarco, JP, Ellenbogen, KA, et al. 2012 ACCF/AHA/HRS Focused Update of the 2008 Guidelines for Device-Based Therapy of Cardiac Rhythm Abnormalities: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on practice guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol 2012; 60: 12971313.Google Scholar
2. Rediker, D, Eagle, K, Hommz, S Gillam, L, Harthorne, W. Clinical and hemodynamic comparison of VVI versus DDD pacing in patients with DDD pacemakers. Am J Cardiol 1988; 61: 323329.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3. Washington, R, Bricker, JT, Alpert, BS, et al. Guidelines for exercise testing in the paediatric age group. Circulation 1994; 90: 21662179.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Bervoets, L, Van Noten, C, Van Roosbroeck, S. Reliability and validity of the Dutch physical activity questionnaires for children (PAQ-C) and adolescents (PAQ-A). Archives of Public Health 2014; 72: 47.Google Scholar
5. Benditt, DG, Mianulli, M, Fetter, J, et al. Single-chamber cardiac pacing with activity-initiated chronotropic response: evaluation by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Circulation 1987; 75: 184191.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6. Zapletal, A, Samanek, M, Paul, T. Lung Function in Children and Adolescents. Karger, Basel, 1987.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7. Binkhorst, RA, Van’t Hof, MA, Saris, WHM. Maximale inspanning door kinderen; referentiewaarden voor 6–18 jarige meisjes en jongens. Brochure Nederlandse Hartstichting. 1992.Google Scholar
8. Freedson, PS, Goodman, TL. Measurements of oxygen consumption. In Rowland TW (ed.) Pediatric Exercise Testing: Clinical Guidelines. Human Kinetics Publishers, Champaign, IL, 1993: 91129.Google Scholar
9. Cumming, GR, Everatt, D, Hastman, L. Bruce treadmill test in children: normal values in a clinic population. Am J Cardiol 1978; 41: 6975.CrossRefGoogle Scholar