Clinical impact of MultiPoint pacing in responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy demonstrated benefits in heart failure. However, only 60-70% are responders and only 22% are super-responders. MultiPoint pacing (MPP) improves structural remodeling, but data in responder patients is scarce.

METHODS: A prospective, randomized study of the efficacy of MPP was conducted in patients who were CRT responders after 6 months of bi-ventricular (BiV) therapy. At 6 months, responder patients (LV end-systolic volume [LVESV] reduction ≥15%) were randomized to either continued BiV therapy or to MPP programmed with wide anatomical separation ≥30mm, and followed until 12 months. Efficacy was determined by 6-12 month changes in LVESV and LV ejection fraction (LVEF). Evaluations of super-responder rate (LVESV reduction ≥30%) and quality of life (NYHA, EQ-5D, MLHFQ) were also performed.

RESULTS: From February 2017 to February 2019, 73 CRTs with Quartet™ LV leads were implanted (42.9% female, 65.7±10.8 years old, 79.5% dilated cardiomyopathy). At 6 months, 74.2% responded to BiV and were randomized to BiV (n = 25) or MPP (n = 24). MPP vs. BiV delivered greater LVESV improvement (8.3% decrease in MPP vs. 10.3% increase in BiV patients, p = 0.047), greater increase in LVEF (7.7% vs. 1.8%, p = 0.008), and higher 0-12 month super-responder rate (86.4% vs. 56.0%, p = 0.027). More MPP vs. BiV patients experienced an improvement in NYHA (84.6% vs. 50.0%, p = 0.047) and EQ-5D (94.4% vs. 54.0%, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS: MultiPoint Pacing with wide anatomical spacing in CRT responder patients resulted in improved LV reverse remodeling with higher rates of super-responders, and better quality of life metrics. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.