Physiologic Pacing in Heart Failure

Cardiac physiologic pacing, also known as cardiac resynchronization therapy, is indicated in patients with heart failure, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 50% or less, and either a high (or anticipated high) ventricular pacing burden or a wide QRS complex. Traditionally, physiologic pacing has been achieved with biventricular pacing with a right ventricular lead and a coronary sinus branch lead. Randomized trials involving more than 10,000 patients with heart failure have shown clinical, exercise, and quality-of-life benefits associated with biventricular pacing, as well as improved LVEF and reduced mitral regurgitation and ventricular volumes. These benefits are greatest in patients with left bundle-branch block and a QRS duration of 150 msec or longer. Recent studies support targeting the His bundle or left bundle branch as an alternative cardiac physiologic pacing strategy. Ongoing randomized trials are expected to more clearly define the comparative efficacy and safety of conduction system pacing as compared with biventricular pacing.