EFFICACY OF SHORT ATRIOVENTRICULAR DELAY AND DIASTOLIC MITRAL REGURGITATION

Abstract

Efficacy of short atrioventricular (AV) delay and diastolic mitral regurgitation (MR) were studied in 20 patients (71.0±11.0 ‹SD› years old) with implanted DDD pacemakers. In 12 of the 20 patients, diastolic MR was not observed when the AV delay was set at both 115 and 215 msec. Cardiac output and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCP) did not change. In 8 of the 20 patients, diastolic MR was not observed when the AV delay was set at 115 msec, and was observed at 215 msec. Cardiac output decreased from 3.9±0.6 to 3.6±0.6 1/min (p<0.05), and PCMP increased in 7 of the 8 patients (88%, p<0.05 vs. 17% in patients without diastolic MR at 215 msec of AV delay). Cardiac function may be improved by shortening AV delay when the diastolic MR was observed. On the other hand, short AV delay may be not effective for patients in whom diastolic MR was not observed.