Electrocardiographic patterns in biventricular pacing delivered by second-generation cardiac resynchronization devices

Background

With increasing use of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), treating physicians should be familiar with different electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns of left ventricular (LV) lead and biventricular (BiV) pacing. However, there are a few publications on ECG patterns during BiV pacing.

Purpose

This study was sought to determine different ECG patterns in patients with BiV pacing.

Methods

Twelve-lead ECGs during BiV pacing (right ventricular leads at apex and LV leads in one of the lateral coronary veins) were analyzed in 181 consecutive patients (121 male; mean age, 62.0 ± 13.5 years) with advanced heart failure and baseline left bundle branch block pattern after at least 6-month of uncomplicated CRT.

Results

During BiV pacing, 65% of the patients showed a dominant R wave in V1. There was a right axis deviation in 57% in frontal plane. However, a left superior axis emerged in 34% and normal frontal plane axis in 9%. Sequential BiV pacing (73% vs. 58%, P = 0.04) and pacing from posterolateral coronary vein (80% vs. 60%, p = 0.045) were more likely to present with a dominant R wave in V1. In sequential pacing, AV interval was significantly longer in patients with negative complex in V1 than in those with positive complex (124 ± 21 vs. 116 ± 8.0, p = 0.005). A Q/q wave was detected in 85% of patients in lead I and 78% in lead aVL.

Conclusions

BiV pacing from lateral coronary venous branches and right ventricular apex characteristically presented with dominant R wave in V1, Q/q wave in leads I and aVL, and right or left superior axis. However, a negative complex in V1, QRS axis in other quadrants, and lack of Q/q wave in leads I and aVL did not necessarily indicate a problem.