Skip to main content

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Cardiovasc. Med., 20 August 2021
Sec. Heart Failure and Transplantation
This article is part of the Research Topic Novelties in the Therapeutic Approaches for Chronic Heart Failure: Cardiovascular targets and beyond View all 12 articles

Improvement of LV Reverse Remodeling Using Dynamic Programming of Fusion-Optimized Atrioventricular Intervals in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

\nZhongkai Wang&#x;Zhongkai Wang1Pan Li&#x;Pan Li1Bili Zhang&#x;Bili Zhang1Jingjuan HuangJingjuan Huang2Shaoping ChenShaoping Chen1Zhuhong CaiZhuhong Cai3Yingyi QinYingyi Qin4Jihai FanJihai Fan5Wendong TangWendong Tang1Yongwen QinYongwen Qin1Ruogu Li
Ruogu Li2*Xianxian Zhao
Xianxian Zhao1*
  • 1Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
  • 2Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
  • 3Department of Ultrasound, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
  • 4Department of Health Statistics, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
  • 5Department of Cardiology, 455th Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, Shanghai, China

Background: The patient-tailored SyncAV algorithm shortens the QRS duration (QRSd) beyond what conventional biventricular (BiV) pacing can. However, evidence of the ability of SyncAV to improve the cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) response is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of CRT enhanced by SyncAV on echocardiographic and clinical responses.

Methods and Results: Consecutive heart failure (HF) patients from three centers treated with a quadripolar CRT system (Abbott) were enrolled. The total of 122 patients were divided into BiV+SyncAV (n = 68) and BiV groups (n = 54) according to whether they underwent CRT with or without SyncAV. Electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and clinical data were assessed at baseline and during follow-up. Echocardiographic response to CRT was defined as a ≥15% decrease in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), and clinical response was defined as a NYHA class reduction of ≥1. At the 6-month follow-up, the baseline QRSd and LVESV decreased more significantly in the BiV+SyncAV than in the BiV group (QRSd −36.25 ± 16.33 vs. −22.72 ± 18.75 ms, P < 0.001; LVESV −54.19 ± 38.87 vs. −25.37 ± 36.48 ml, P < 0.001). Compared to the BiV group, more patients in the BiV+SyncAV group were classified as echocardiographic (82.35 vs. 64.81%; P = 0.036) and clinical responders (83.82 vs. 66.67%; P = 0.033). During follow-up, no deaths due to HF deterioration or severe procedure related complications occurred.

Conclusion: Compared to BiV pacing, BiV combined with SyncAV leads to a more significant reduction in QRSd and improves LV remodeling and long-term outcomes in HF patients treated with CRT.

Introduction

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective therapeutic modality for patients with advanced heart failure (HF), cardiomyopathy, and left bundle branch block (LBBB). It has been demonstrated that CRT improves left ventricular remodeling and clinical symptoms, and thereby reduces hospitalization and all-cause mortality (1, 2). However, these effects vary among individuals, with approximately one-third failing to respond to CRT (3). Optimizing the atrioventricular delay (AVD) guided by ultrasound or electrocardiogram (ECG) enhances the fusion of intrinsic conduction and biventricular (BiV) pacing, resulting in improved CRT responses and clinical outcomes (46). Post-programmed AVD, however, fails to adapt to the dynamics of each patient due to heart rate variability and/or drugs (7, 8).

SyncAV is a novel, device-based algorithm that can dynamically adjust AVD to synchronize the BiV pacing and intrinsic conduction (i.e., a triple wavefront fusion) (6, 9) to fit each patient's changing needs. Previous studies have reported that SyncAV narrows the QRS duration (QRSd) by optimizing pacemaker parameters (1012). However, these studies have been limited to QRSd measurements, so the impact of SyncAV on cardiac function remains unclear. This study compared the echocardiographic and clinical improvements in CRT patients equipped with SyncAV vs. those lacking the SyncAV function.

Methods

Patient Selection

In total, 122 consecutive patients who underwent successful CRT implantations from 2017 to 2019 at Changhai Hospital, Shanghai Chest Hospital, and the 455th Hospital of Nanjing Military Command were retrospectively studied. The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional Class II to IV HF despite optimal medical therapy; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, sinus rhythm, and a QRSd ≥130 ms with or without LBBB. According to Strauss criteria, LBBB was defined as (1) QRSd ≥140 ms for males or ≥130 ms for females, (2) mid-QRS notch or slur in ≥2 leads: I, aVL, V1, V2, V5, V6, and (3) rS or QS in V1/V2 (with R peak time <60 ms) (13). Patients with life expectancy ≤1 year, intrinsic PR intervals ≥300 ms, RBBB (right bundle branch block), degree II or III AV block, severe aortic valve stenosis or regurgitation, new-onset MI within 4 months, or persistent atrial arrhythmia (including atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation [AF]) were excluded.

Of the 122 patients treated with CRT pacemakers ([CRT-P], Quadra Allure 3,140 or Quadra Allure 3,242; Abbott), 68 patients with CRT-P devices equipped with SyncAV function were divided into the BiV+SyncAV group, while 54 patients receiving CRT-P devices without SyncAV function were included in the BiV group. The selection of the type of pacemaker implantation (CRTP with or without SyncAV function) was at the discretion of the treating physician. Basic demographics, HF data, relevant anti-HF medications, QRSd, LV lead locations, electrocardiographic recordings, and echocardiographic parameters were collected. Informed consent was obtained from all included patients. The protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Changhai Hospital, Shanghai Chest Hospital, and 455th Hospital of Nanjing Military Command. Studies were performed in accordance with the principles established in the Declaration of Helsinki. Patients or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of our research.

Study Protocol

CRT was performed according to clinical practice recommendations. Briefly, CRT devices were implanted via the cephalic, axillary, or subclavian vein under local anesthesia. Right ventricle (RV) and right atrium (RA) leads were placed in the RV apex or low septum and RA appendage, respectively. CRT patients were implanted with a quadripolar LV lead (Abbott, Quartet™ 1458Q/St. Jude Medical) termed D1, M2, M3, and P4, from distal to proximal. The site of the last LV lead was selected based on coronary sinus venography, lead stability, and the pacing threshold, preferably in the lateral or posterolateral vein.

Electrocardiographic Assessments

The PR interval, QRSd, and QRS morphology were recorded prior to CRT implantation. During BiV pacing using individual electrodes, QRSd, the time from the onset of the QRS complex in lead II to the first larger positive or negative peak in the LV EGM (QLV) (14), QLV normalized to the intrinsic QRSd (QLV/QRSd), and the interval of the first large positive or negative peaks of RV and LV electrograms (RV-LV interval) were measured using intracardiac electrograms (IEGM) and 12-lead ECGs at a speed of 100 mm/s (15, 16). In the BiV+SyncAV group, devices were temporarily programmed to Mode I: LV-only+SyncAV (offset: 50 ms); Mode II: BiV with nominal settings (paced/sensed AVD of 140/110 ms) or Mode III: BiV+SyncAV (optimal offset: 10–100 ms). QRSd measurements were performed at three pacing modes (Figure 1). Paced QRSd was measured from the beginning of the rapid deflection to the end of the QRS complex (17). QRSd was analyzed by an ECG technician who was blinded to the settings. Each sample was analyzed for 10 min and repeated three times. Averages were sequentially calculated.

FIGURE 1
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 1. Representative 12-lead ECG for QRS interval at intrinsic and three different pacing modes during post-implant optimization in a single patient.

Echocardiographic Assessments

Echocardiograms were assessed using a Vivid E95 ultrasound system (General Electric Healthcare, Chalfont St Giles, UK). Echocardiographic parameters, including LVEF, left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), LV end-systolic volume (LVESV), LV end-systolic dimension (LVESD), and LV end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) were assessed prior to implantation and 6 months postoperatively. The aortic velocity time integral (aVTI) was obtained from the apical five-chamber view using a pulsed-wave Doppler (PWD) sample placed on an LV outflow tract below the aortic valve according to the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines (18). As above, the aVTI values in three temporarily programmed modes of patients in the BiV+SyncAV group were also measured. CRT settings were programmed at least 15 min prior to assessments. Measurements were the average of three consecutive cardiac cycles.

CRT Device Optimization

CRT devices were optimized 48 h post-implantation using the programmer (Abbott Inc., Sylmar, CA, USA). The first step was aimed at selecting the best LV pacing site and vector. The capture threshold for the four LV pacing sites was assessed in VDD mode (fixed paced AV delay of 120 ms). The SyncAV CRT offset was sequentially reprogrammed from 10 to 100 ms, based on the pacing site to yield the narrowest QRSd, and this was considered the optimal offset. The VV interval (LV-RV) was fixed at 30 ms in our study to ensure the LV pacing 30 ms ahead of RV pacing. For patients in the BiV group, the nominal AV (paced/sensed AVD of 140/110 ms) and VV (LV-RV 30 ms) delay were used to program the CRT.

Follow-Up Protocol

Clinical symptoms, 6-min walk distances (6MWT), Minnesota Living with Heart Failure (MLHF) score, NYHA class, the threshold of pacing, electrode impedance, electrocardiographic data, echocardiographic data, clinical medication, and adverse events were evaluated in all patients at baseline and at 6 months postoperatively. Adverse cardiovascular events and infection, electrode dislocation, thrombosis, and early pacemaker battery depletion were recorded. The main adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) included cardiac death, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke, and the mortality rate. The primary outcome was echocardiographic response at 6 months. The secondary end points included NYHA class, 6MWT, and MLHF Questionnaire. Clinical responses were defined as a NYHA class decrease ≥1. Echocardiographic response to CRT was defined as a ≥15% reduction in LVESV after 6 months of CRT. Additionally, non-responders were defined as those with LVESV reduction <15%; superresponders had LVESV reduction ≥30% relative to baseline (19).

Statistical Analysis

Continuous variables are shown as the mean ± standard deviation (SD) or median with range as appropriate. Discrete variables are shown as frequencies and/or percentages. Continuous variables were compared using an unpaired Student t-test or Mann-Whitney Test. Chi-square or Fisher exact tests were used to compare categorical variables. Multiple comparison among the pacing modes was done using LSD-test or Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA. Multivariable regression models were used to explore the outcomes between BiV+SyncAV and BiV groups when adjusted for clinical covariates, QLV/QRS. Because it is a retrospective study, we also conducted analyses with two propensity score weighting methods to reduce the effects of confounders: inverse probability weighting (IPTW) and overlap weighting (OW) (20, 21). The individual propensity score of BiV+SyncAV was estimated via a multivariable logistic regression model, including all characteristics. We included the absolute standardized mean differences to evaluate the balance of covariates between the two groups, and the criteria for covariate unbalance was set to 0.1. P-values <0.05 indicated statistical significances. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.0.

Results

Baseline Characteristics

Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups (Table 1 and Supplementary Table 4). Patients received anti-HF therapy for ≥3 months prior to CRT implantation. At baseline, 58 (85.3%) patients in the BiV+SyncAV group were classified as NYHA III to IV compared to 46 (85.2%) in the BiV group (P = 0.987). LBBB occurred in 52 (76.5%) patients in the BiV+SyncAV group, compared to 41 (75.9%) in the BiV group (P = 0.944). The baseline QRSd in the BiV+SyncAV group was compared to BiV group (159.5 vs. 165.0 ms; P = 0.453). The median baseline PR-interval did not differ between BiV+SyncAV and BiV groups (178.0 vs. 175.0 ms; P = 0.738).

TABLE 1
www.frontiersin.org

Table 1. Baseline characteristics of study population.

Procedural Outcomes

The CRT device was successfully implanted into all patients. The final locations of the LV leads were lateral (47.1% in BiV+SyncAV vs. 48.1% in BiV), posterolateral (19.1 vs. 20.4%), anterolateral (17.6 vs. 16.7%), and posterior (11.8 vs. 9.2%) (Supplementary Figure 1). The LV lead locations were similar between groups (All P > 0.05) (Supplementary Table 1). All patients had pacing sites with suitable thresholds, sensing, and impedances. The mean QLV/QRS in the BiV+SyncAV group was 0.70 ± 10.6 (57.4% > 0.7) compared to 0.70 ± 8.9 (53.7% > 0.7) (P = 0.974) in the BiV group. The median RV-LV interval did not differ between BiV+SyncAV and BiV groups (76.0 vs. 79.0 ms; P = 0.509) (Supplementary Table 1).

Electrocardiographic Outcomes

Figure 2A shows the QRSd at each CRT setting relative to the intrinsic conduction in the BiV+SyncAV group. BiV performed better than LV only+SyncAV (50 ms) (138.43 ± 13.69 vs. 143.75 ± 15.19 ms; P < 0.05). The most significant narrowing of the QRSd complex (126.40 ± 14.89 ms; P < 0.001) occurred during BiV pacing coupled to SyncAV-programmed titration offsets.

FIGURE 2
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 2. QRS interval at baseline and three different pacing modes (LV only+SyncAV, BiV, or BiV+SyncAV) in the BiV+SyncAV group (A); aVTI score at baseline and three different pacing modes (LV only+SyncAV, BiV, or BiV+SyncAV) in the BiV+SyncAV group (B).

At the 6-month follow-ups, a significant reduction in QRSd was found in both the BiV+SyncAV group and the BiV group (all P < 0.001, Table 2). Additionally, the QRSd reduction of patients with QLV/QRS >0.7 was similar to that of patients with QLV/QRS ≤0.7 in the BiV+SyncAV group (−38.23 ± 17.47 vs. −33.59 ± 14.52 ms, P = 0.344, Supplementary Table 2). Differences in electrocardiographic outcomes between the BiV+SyncAV group and BiV group are shown in Table 2. BiV+SyncAV led to more significant reductions in QRSd than BiV alone at 6 months (−11.68 ms, 95% CI −16.90 ~ −6.46 ms; P < 0.001).

TABLE 2
www.frontiersin.org

Table 2. Improvement in QRS, clinical, and echocardiographic outcomes between groups.

Echocardiographic Responses

The BiV and LV only+SyncAV (50 ms offset) modes produced higher aVTI scores than intrinsic (BiV vs. intrinsic: 22.34 ± 4.65 cm vs. 19.58 ± 4.44 cm, P < 0.001; LV only+SyncAV vs. intrinsic: 22.02 ± 4.58 cm vs. 19.58 ± 4.44 cm, P < 0.01), whereas, the highest aVTI was acquired in the BiV+SyncAV modes (23.96 ± 4.65 cm, P < 0.001) (Figure 2B). After 6-month follow-up, the ultrasonic results of the two groups were significantly better than those before operation. Compared to BiV settings, BiV+SyncAV resulted in more significant decreases in LVESV (−28.86 ml, 95% CI −38.09 ~ −19.64 ml; P < 0.001) and larger increases in LVEF (7.82%, 95% CI 5.53 ~ 10.11 %; P < 0.001) (Table 2 and Supplementary Table 4). More echocardiographic responders were observed in the BiV+SyncAV group than in the BiV group (56 [82.35%] vs. 35 [64.81%]; P = 0.036; Figure 3A). The rate of superresponders in the BiV+SyncAV group was significantly higher than that in the BiV group (34 [50.00%] vs. 12 [22.22%]; P = 0.002; Figure 3A). There was no significant difference in LVESV at 6 months between patients with QLV/QRS >0.7 and QLV/QRS ≤0.7 in the BiV+SyncAV group (−69.97 ± 38.98 vs. −32.96 ± 27.20 ml, P = 0.115, Supplementary Table 2).

FIGURE 3
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 3. (A) Proportion of non-responder, responder, and super-responder in the BiV+SyncAV group and BiV group; (B) New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) at baseline and 6-month follow-up between BiV+SyncAV group and BiV group. BiV, biventricular pacing.

Clinical Responses

During follow-up, the optimization of the BiV+SyncAV improved the clinical response compared to the BiV mode in terms of the 6MWT, MLHF score, and NYHA classification (Figure 3B). At the end of the 6-month follow-up period, BiV+SyncAV resulted in a statistically significant difference in the decrease in the MLHF score (−5.30, 95% CI −8.33 ~ −2.28; P < 0.001) and an increase in the 6MWT distance (67.18 m, 95% CI 49.93 ~ 84.44 m; P < 0.001) compared with BiV (Table 2). Clinical response, defined as a drop of ≥1 NYHA class relative to baseline, was seen in 57 patients (83.82%) in the BiV+SyncAV group compared to 36 in the BiV group (66.67%, P = 0.033).

Adverse Events

During follow-up, no significant differences in the medication condition and pacemaker-related complications were found between groups. In the BiV+SyncAV group, a single case of LV lead dislocation occurred in the BiV+SyncAV group after CRT implantation, so it was repositioned. In the BiV group, a single case of infection was observed following pacemaker implantation and required removal and reimplantation of the CRT device on the opposite side after 1 month. Five (7.35%) BiV+SyncAV patients and 7 (12.96%) BiV patients required rehospitalization for HF deterioration. In total, 8/122 patients (5 in the BiV+SyncAV group; 3 in the BiV group) showed phrenic nerve stimulation at single pacing sites that resolved following the reprogramming of the pacing sites, reduction of left ventricular output, or lengthening of the pacing pulse width, eventually ensuring effective left ventricular pacing. No deaths due to HF deterioration or early pacemaker battery depletion occurred during follow-up.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comparison of the echocardiographic response and clinical improvement by CRT with vs. without SyncAV-based AVD. We found that (1) BiV+SyncAV modes led to higher aVTI scores than BiV, indicating improved acute hemodynamics; (2) SyncAV performance not only enhanced electrical parameters but also improved echocardiographic and clinical responses; (3) subgroup analysis revealed that patients with QLV/QRS >0.7 displayed comparable QRSd and echocardiographic parameters to patients with QLV/QRS ≤0.7, suggesting that the location of the LV lead does not influence the efficacy of SyncAV.

Traditional BiV pacing is non-physiological due to retrograde excitation of the ventricular septum, limiting the benefits of BiV pacing, which can be improved through BiV+intrinsic fusion. Horst and colleagues demonstrated that the maximum rates of LV pressure increase (LV dP/dtmax) occur when BiV is fused with pacing and intrinsic conduction (9). Guo et al. (22) showed that BiV+intrinsic pacing following ECG optimization in CHF patients improved cardiac function and quality of life. The optimal AVD therefore achieves the complete fusion of BiV pacing and intrinsic AV conduction. AVD is also challenging due to post-implant conditions in response to exercise, heart rate, autonomic tone, or drugs. Clinical optimization therefore fails to accommodate the dynamics of individual patients (23).

Truly effective CRT optimization comes from individualized programming, as opposed to “out-of-the-box” settings. SyncAV can lead to dynamic fusion of BiV pacing and intrinsic AV conduction, reduce QRS duration significantly, and eventually produce the best electrical resynchronization. Consistent with previous studies (10, 11), our data showed that BiV pacing with individualized SyncAV offsets yielded the narrowest QRS. Thibault et al. (11) also showed that either BiVEarlyLV or BiVLateLV electrode resulted in the same shortened QRSd using SyncAV optimization at the default 50-ms offset. Similar results were obtained in our subgroup analysis that showed that QLV/QRS ratio did not influence the efficacy of SyncAV. Overall, the SyncAV algorithm has a broad range of application prospects in clinical practice and may benefit HF patients with intact AV conduction.

Other algorithms to automatic AVD optimization include Adaptiv-CRT (Medtronic) that provides LV-only pacing (AVD ≤200 ms) and BiV pacing (AVD >200 ms) (24). The SyncAV and Adaptiv-CRT algorithms have some common and individual characteristics. They all depend on the sinus rhythm and intact atrioventricular conduction function and encourage intrinsic right ventricular activation. Birnie et al. (25) indicated that Adaptiv-CRT resulted in the improvement of clinical outcomes, and the benefit of Adaptiv-CRT for the improvement of cardiac function was mainly derived from LV-only pacing. SyncAV permits wider AVD (≤325 ms) programming using the “optimal” offset (Supplementary Figure 4), which results in triple wavefront fusion (right bundle branch conduction, RV paced activation, and LV paced activation). The SyncAV and Adaptiv-CRT algorithms have their own characteristics, and further, research is needed to determine their own suitable population.

Post-implant electrical optimization achieves acute hemodynamics or long-term LV remodeling as the ultimate therapeutic goal (26). The gold standard for evaluating acute hemodynamic performance in CRT is to measure the rate of LV pressure rise, which is invasive, time-consuming, and costly. In contrast, measurement of aVTI is relatively simple and non-invasive. There is evidence that aVTI is a reliable indicator of cardiac output during CRT optimization (27, 28). Sometimes it is challenging to distinguish the difference in QRSd milliseconds between different offsets, and aVTI can be used as a valuable auxiliary indicator to distinguish such subtle differences. In our study, compared with BiV mode or LV only+SyncAV 50-ms mode, the BiV+SyncAV modes yielded the highest aVTI scores. Similarly, Wang et al. (29) also demonstrated that shortening of QRSd is closely related to the acute improvement of hemodynamic parameters.

Of note, the 6-month follow-up performed in this study showed that the SyncAV improved LV remodeling, as evidenced by the lower LVESV and higher LVEF than in BiV mode. The reported incidence of echocardiographic response after CRT implantation in the literature ranges between 60 and 75% (30). Consistent with previous results, our data showed that 82.35% patients in the BiV+SyncAV group vs. 64.81% in the BiV group were classified as echocardiographic responders (P = 0.036). After 6 months of follow-up, super-responses were significantly more common in the BiV+SyncAV group than that in the BiV group (50.00 vs. 22.2%, P = 0.002). Previous study demonstrated that the early response to CRT treatment predicts a favorable prognosis (31). Accordingly, we conclude that SyncAV dynamically optimizes the AV interval to achieve triple wavefront fusion and eventually contributes to improving clinical results of CRT patients. As predicted, NYHA cardiac functional grading, 6-min walking distance, and MLHF significantly improved in the BiV+SyncAV group compared with the BiV group 6 months after implantation.

Study Limitations

First, our study is a retrospective study, but it is the first time to demonstrate the SyncAV function on echocardiographic and clinical improvements in CRT patients. We used multivariate regression models to adjust some parameters potentially affecting the improvement of cardiac function. We also conducted analyses with two propensity score (IPTW and OW) weighting methods to reduce the effects of confounders. After weighting, the baseline characteristics between two group had been well-balanced (Supplementary Figures 2, 3). The results of sensitivity analyses showed that the QRS, clinical, and echocardiographic outcomes were consistent with those shown in Supplementary Table 3. Second, VV interval was fixed at 30 ms in our study instead of optimal VV interval. While optimizing the SyncAV offset value, it is worth exploring whether to optimize the VV interval and the best timing of the VV interval. Third, the majority of enrolled subjects had dilated heart disease. It thus remains unclear whether patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy with heavy LV scarring can benefit from SyncAV. Finally, the number of patients was small, so further, RCTs with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are still needed to confirm our findings.

Conclusion

This multicenter observational cohort trial revealed that BiV pacing coupled to the SyncAV function can narrow the QRSd in CRT patients and a reversal of LV remodeling compared to conventional BiV pacing. Cardiac function benefits from the dynamic fusion of instinct conduction and BiV pacing. SyncAV therefore should be applied in all CRT patients with normal instinct conduction.

Data Availability Statement

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

Ethics Statement

The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University. The patients/participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study.

Author Contributions

ZW: collection and analysis. PL: data collection and writing. BZ: data interpretation and analysis. JH: literature search. SC: manuscript preparation. ZC: figures preparation. YiQ: statistical analysis. JF: tables preparation. WT: data interpretation. YoQ: literature search. RL: data interpretation and literature search. XZ: study design and writing the manuscript. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Funding

This work was supported in part by the Grants from the Chinese Natural Science Foundation (81870356 to PL), the National Key R&D Program of China (ID: 2016YFC1301300, 2016YFC1301303 to XZ), and the Shanghai Rising-Star Program (20QA1409000 to PL).

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's Note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Xinpu Yuan and Qihua Zhang, engineers of Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Ci., Ltd for assistance in the patients' follow-up and CRT programming. The content of this manuscript has been presented [IN PART] at the [Great Wall International Congress of Cardiology 2020/Asian Heart Society Congress 2020], (32).

Supplementary Material

The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2021.700424/full#supplementary-material

References

1. Moss AJ, Hall WJ, Cannom DS, Helmut Klein, Brown MW, Daubert JP, et al. Cardiac-resynchronization therapy for the prevention of heart-failure events. N Engl J Med. (2009) 361:1329–38. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa0906431

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

2. Linde C, Abraham WT, Gold MR, St John Sutton M, Ghio S, Daubert C, et al. Randomized trial of cardiac resynchronization in mildly symptomatic heart failure patients and in asymptomatic patients with left ventricular dysfunction and previous heart failure symptoms. J Am Coll Cardiol. (2008) 52:1834–43. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2008.08.027

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

3. Cleland JG, Daubert JC, Erdmann E, Freemantle N, Gras D, Kappenberger L, et al. The effect of cardiac resynchronization on morbidity and mortality in heart failure. N Engl J Med. (2005) 352:1539–49. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa050496

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

4. van Deursen CJ, Blaauw Y, Witjens MI, Debie L, Wecke L, Crijns HJ, et al. The value of the 12-lead ECG for evaluation and optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy in daily clinical practice. J Electrocardiol. (2014) 47:202–11. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2014.01.007

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

5. Arbelo E, Tolosana JM, Trucco E, Penela D, Borràs R, Doltra A, et al. Fusion-optimized intervals (FOI): a new method to achieve the narrowest QRS for optimization of the AV and VV intervals in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. (2014) 25:283–92. doi: 10.1111/jce.12322

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

6. Trucco E, Tolosana JM, Arbelo E, Doltra A, Castel MÁ, Benito E, et al. Improvement of reverse remodeling using electrocardiogram fusion-optimized intervals in cardiac resynchronization therapy: a randomized study. JACC Clin Electrophysiol. (2018) 4:181–9. doi: 10.1016/j.jacep.2017.11.020

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

7. Abraham WT, Gras D, Yu CM, Guzzo L, Gupta MS; FREEDOM Steering Committee. Rationale and design of a randomized clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of frequent optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy: the Frequent Optimization Study Using the QuickOpt Method (FREEDOM) trial. Am Heart J. (2010) 159:944–8. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2010.02.034

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

8. Cuoco FA, Gold MR. Optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy: importance of programmed parameters. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. (2012) 23:110–8. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2011.02235.x

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

9. Ter Horst IAH, Bogaard MD, Tuinenburg AE, Mast TP, de Boer TP, Doevendans PAFM, et al. The concept of triple wavefront fusion during biventricular pacing: using the EGM to produce the best acute hemodynamic improvement in CRT. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. (2017) 40:873–82. doi: 10.1111/pace.13118

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

10. Varma N, O'Donnell D, Bassiouny M, Ritter P, Pappone C, Mangual J, et al. Programming cardiac resynchronization therapy for electrical synchrony: reaching beyond left bundle branch block and left ventricular activation delay. J Am Heart Assoc. (2018) 7:e007489. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.117.007489

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

11. Thibault B, Ritter P, Bode K, Calò L, Mondésert B, Mangual JO, et al. Dynamic programming of atrioventricular delay improves electrical synchrony in a multicenter cardiac resynchronization therapy study. Heart Rhythm. (2019) 16:1047–56. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2019.01.020

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

12. Engels EB, Thibault B, Mangual J, et al. Dynamic atrioventricular delay programming improves ventricular electrical synchronization as evaluated by 3D vectorcardiography. J Electrocardiol. (2019) 58:1–6. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2019.09.026

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

13. Strauss DG, Selvester RH, Wagner GS. Defining left bundle branch block in the era of cardiac resynchronization therapy. Am J Cardiol. (2011) 107:927–34. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2010.11.010

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

14. Gold MR, Birgersdotter-Green U, Singh JP, Ellenbogen KA, Yu Y, Meyer TE, et al. The relationship between ventricular electrical delay left ventricular remodelling with cardiac resynchronization therapy. Eur Heart J. (2011) 32:2516–24. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehr329

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

15. Gold MR, Singh JP, Ellenbogen KA, Yu Y, Wold N, Meyer TE, et al. Interventricular electrical delay is predictive of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. JACC Clin Electrophysiol. (2016) 2:438–47. doi: 10.1016/j.jacep.2016.02.018

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

16. Gold MR, Yu Y, Wold N, Day JD. The role of interventricular conduction delay to predict clinical response with cardiac resynchronization therapy. Heart Rhythm. (2017) 14:1748–55. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2017.10.016

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

17. Surawicz B, Childers R, Deal BJ, Gettes LS, Bailey JJ, Gorgels A, et al. AHA/ACCF/HRS recommendations for the standardization and interpretation of the electrocardiogram: part III: intraventricular conduction disturbances: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Electrocardiography and Arrhythmias Committee, Council on Clinical Cardiology; the American College of Cardiology Foundation; and the Heart Rhythm Society: endorsed by the International Society for Computerized Electrocardiology. Circulation. (2019) 119:e235–40. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.191095

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

18. Gorcsan J 3rd, Abraham T, Agler DA, Bax JJ, Derumeaux G, Grimm RA, et al. Echocardiography for cardiac resynchronization therapy: recommendations for performance and reporting-a report from the American society of echocardiography dyssynchrony writing Group endorsed by the heart Rhythm society. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. (2008) 21:191–213. doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2008.01.003

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

19. van Bommel RJ, Bax JJ, Abraham WT, Chung ES, Pires LA, Tavazzi L, et al. Characteristics of heart failure patients associated with good poor response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: a PROSPECT (Predictors of Response to CRT) sub-analysis. Eur Heart J. (2009) 30:2470–7. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehp368

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

20. Li F, Thomas LE, Li F. Addressing extreme propensity scores via the overlap weights. Am J Epidemiol. (2019) 188:250–7. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwy201

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

21. Mlcoch T, Hrnciarova T, Tuzil J, Zadak J, Marian M, Dolezal T. Propensity score weighting using overlap weights: a new method applied to regorafenib clinical data and a cost-effectiveness analysis. Value Health. (2019) 22:1370–7. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2019.06.010

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

22. Guo T, Li R, Zhang L, Luo Z, Zhao L, Yang J, et al. Biventricular pacing with ventricular fusion by intrinsic activation in cardiac resynchronization therapy. Int Heart J. (2015) 56:293–7. doi: 10.1536/ihj.14-260

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

23. Gras D, Gupta MS, Boulogne E, Guzzo L, Abraham WT. Optimization of AV and VV delays in the real-world CRT patient population: an international survey on current clinical practice. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. (2009) 32(Suppl. 1):S236–9. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2008.02294.x

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

24. Krum H, Lemke B, Birnie D, Lee KL, Aonuma K, Starling RC, et al. A novel algorithm for individualized cardiac resynchronization therapy: rationale and design of the adaptive cardiac resynchronization therapy trial. Am Heart J. (2012) 163:747–52.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2012.02.007

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

25. Birnie D, Lemke B, Aonuma K, Krum H, Lee KL, Gasparini M, et al. Clinical outcomes with synchronized left ventricular pacing: analysis of the adaptive CRT trial. Heart Rhythm. (2013) 10:1368–74. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2013.07.007

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

26. Naqvi SY, Jawaid A, Vermilye K, Biering-Sørensen T, Goldenberg I, Zareba W, et al. Left ventricular reverse remodeling in cardiac resynchronization therapy and long-term outcomes. JACC Clin Electrophysiol. (2019) 5:1001–10. doi: 10.1016/j.jacep.2019.07.012

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

27. Thomas DE, Yousef ZR, Fraser AG. A critical comparison of echocardiographic measurements used for optimizing cardiac resynchronization therapy: stroke distance is best. Eur J Heart Fail. (2009) 11:779–88. doi: 10.1093/eurjhf/hfp086

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

28. Tan C, Rubenson D, Srivastava A, Mohan R, Smith MR, Billick K, et al. Left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral outperforms ejection fraction and Doppler-derived cardiac output for predicting outcomes in a select advanced heart failure cohort. Cardiovasc Ultrasound. (2017) 15:18. doi: 10.1186/s12947-017-0109-4

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

29. Wang J, Liang Y, Chen H, Wang W, Bai J, Chen X, et al. Patient- tailored SyncAV algorithm: a novel strategy to improve synchrony and acute hemodynamic response in heart failure patients treated by cardiac resynchronization therapy. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. (2020) 31:512–20. doi: 10.1111/jce.14315

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

30. Birnie DH, Tang AS. The problem of non-response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Curr Opin Cardiol. (2006) 21:20–6. doi: 10.1097/01.hco.0000198983.93755.99

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

31. Reitan C, Bakos Z, Platonov PG, Höijer CJ, Brandt J, Wang L, et al. Patient-assessed short-term positive response to cardiac resynchronization therapy is an independent predictor of long-term mortality. Europace. (2014) 16:1603–9. doi: 10.1093/europace/euu058

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

32. Li P, Wang Z, Zhao X. Cardiovascular innovations and applications. Cardiovasc Innovat Appl. (2020) 5:C1–179. doi: 10.15212/CVIA.2019.0598

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Keywords: atrioventricular delay, optimization, heart failure, echocardiography, cardiac resynchronization therapy

Citation: Wang Z, Li P, Zhang B, Huang J, Chen S, Cai Z, Qin Y, Fan J, Tang W, Qin Y, Li R and Zhao X (2021) Improvement of LV Reverse Remodeling Using Dynamic Programming of Fusion-Optimized Atrioventricular Intervals in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Front. Cardiovasc. Med. 8:700424. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.700424

Received: 26 April 2021; Accepted: 20 July 2021;
Published: 20 August 2021.

Edited by:

Antonio Sorgente, EpiCURA, Belgium

Reviewed by:

Haiyan Chen, Fudan University, China
Hamza Sunman, Dişkapi Yildirim Training and Research Hospital, Turkey

Copyright © 2021 Wang, Li, Zhang, Huang, Chen, Cai, Qin, Fan, Tang, Qin, Li and Zhao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Xianxian Zhao, 13764924032@163.com; Ruogu Li, 13564565961@163.com

These authors have contributed equally to this work

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.