Feasibility and cardiac synchrony of permanent left bundle branch pacing through the interventricular septum

Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) recently emerges as a novel pacing modality. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and cardiac synchrony of permanent LBBP in bradycardia patients.

Left bundle branch pacing was successfully performed in 56 pacemaker-indicated patients with normal cardiac function. Left bundle branch pacing was achieved by penetrating the interventricular septum (IVS) into the left side sub-endocardium with the pacing lead. His-bundle pacing (HBP) was successfully performed in another 29 patients, 19 of whom had right ventricular septal pacing (RVSP) for backup pacing. The QRS duration, left ventricular (LV) activation time (LVAT), and mechanical synchrony using phase analysis of gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging were evaluated. Paced QRS duration in LBBP group was significantly shorter than that in RVSP group (117.8 ± 11.0 ms vs. 158.1 ± 11.1 ms, P < 0.0001) and wider than that in HBP group (99.7 ± 15.6 ms, P < 0.0001). Left bundle branch potential was recorded during procedure in 37 patients (67.3%). Left bundle branch pacing patients with potential had shorter LVAT than those without potential (73.1 ± 11.3 ms vs. 83.2 ± 16.8 ms, P = 0.03). Left bundle branch pacing patients with potential had similar LV mechanical synchrony to those in HBP group. R-wave amplitude and capture threshold of LBBP were 17.0 ± 6.7 mV and 0.5 ± 0.1 V, respectively at implant and remained stable during a mean follow-up of 4.5 months without lead-related complications.

Permanent LBBP through IVS is safe and feasible in bradycardia patients. Left bundle branch pacing could achieve favourable cardiac electrical and LV mechanical synchrony.