Japanese heart journal
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Japanese heart journal · Jan 2000
Modulation of the sympathovagal balance in drug refractory dilated cardiomyopathy, treated with permanent atrioventricular sequential pacing.
The aim of this study was to assess the long term efficacy of DDD pacing mode in selected patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) and drug refractory heart failure. The patients were evaluated according to the long term alteration of the sympathovagal balance (SVB). Patients with IDCM were considered eligible for DDD pacing if during temporary VDD pacing a 15% or more increase in the resting cardiac output was demonstrated. ⋯ In conclusion, DDD pacing with individualized AV delay as an adjunct therapy could be a valuable method in selected patients with IDCM and drug refractory heart failure. DDD pacing improves the SVB over the long term. This improvement is attributed to sympathetic activity withdrawal and is more pronounced during night and less during day time.