Clinical Investigation

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Echocardiography for Determining the Optimal Atrioventricular Interval in Patients with Dual Chamber Pacemakers

  1. Pin Sun PhD1,*,
  2. Qing Zhao PhD2,
  3. Zhi-Bin Wang PhD1,
  4. Jian-Sheng Li PhD1,
  5. Jin-Shan Wo MD, PhD2,
  6. Shang-Lang Cai MD, PhD2

Article first published online: 14 AUG 2009

DOI: 10.1002/clc.20555

Issue

Clinical Cardiology

Clinical Cardiology

Volume 32, Issue 8, pages 439–441, August 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Sun, P., Zhao, Q., Wang, Z.-B., Li, J.-S., Wo, J.-S. and Cai, S.-L. (2009), Echocardiography for Determining the Optimal Atrioventricular Interval in Patients with Dual Chamber Pacemakers. Clinical Cardiology, 32: 439–441. doi: 10.1002/clc.20555

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao City, China

  2. 2

    Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao City, China

*Department of Cardiac Ultrasound Affiliated Hospital of Medical College Qingdao University No. 16 Jiangsu Rd.Qingdao City, P.R. China

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 17 AUG 2009
  2. Article first published online: 14 AUG 2009
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 5 NOV 2008
  4. Manuscript Received: 20 SEP 2008

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Abstract

Background

We investigated the clinical value of Doppler echocardiography for determining the optimal setting of atrioventricular interval in patients with dual chamber pacemakers (DDD). In 38 patients with complete atrioventricular block and DDD pacemakers, the atrioventricular interval was prolonged in a stepwise fashion by 20 ms, from 90 to 250 ms, and cardiac stroke volume and transmitral flow were measured by pulsed Doppler echocardiography.

Methods

The optimal atrioventricular interval at which the cardiac stroke volume was maximal was 168.9 ± 15.6 ms. The atrioventricular interval was 178.4 ± 23.4 ms when the end of the A wave coincided with complete closure of the mitral valve.

Results

There was a significant linear relationship between the optimal atrioventricular interval and the predicted optimal atrioventricular interval (Y = 86.2 ± 0.5X, r = 0.70, standard error of the estimate [SEE] = 11.5, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The optimal atrioventricular interval setting for DDD pacing can be successfully determined using Doppler echocardiography, which is a noninvasive, repeatable, and simple approach. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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