Association between amount of biventricular pacing and heart failure status measured by a multisensor implantable defibrillator algorithm

Background: Achieving a high biventricular pacing percentage (BiV%) is crucial for optimizing outcomes in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The HeartLogic index, a multiparametric heart failure (HF) risk score, incorporates implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)-measured variables and has demonstrated its predictive ability for impending HF decompensation.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between daily BiV% in CRT ICD patients and their HF status, assessed using the HeartLogic algorithm.

Methods: The HeartLogic algorithm was activated in 306 patients across 26 centers, with a median follow-up of 26 months (25th-75th percentile: 15-37).

Results: During the follow-up period, 619 HeartLogic alerts were recorded in 186 patients. Overall, daily values associated with the best clinical status (highest first heart sound, intrathoracic impedance, patient activity; lowest combined index, third heart sound, respiration rate, night heart rate) were associated with a BiV% exceeding 99%. We identified 455 instances of BiV% dropping below 98% after consistent pacing periods. Longer episodes of reduced BiV% (hazard ratio: 2.68; 95% CI: 1.02-9.72; P = .045) and lower BiV% (hazard ratio: 3.97; 95% CI: 1.74-9.06; P=.001) were linked to a higher risk of HeartLogic alerts. BiV% drops exceeding 7 days predicted alerts with 90% sensitivity (95% CI [74%-98%]) and 55% specificity (95% CI [51%-60%]), while BiV% ≤96% predicted alerts with 74% sensitivity (95% CI [55%-88%]) and 81% specificity (95% CI [77%-85%]).

Conclusion: A clear correlation was observed between reduced daily BiV% and worsening clinical conditions, as indicated by the HeartLogic index. Importantly, even minor reductions in pacing percentage and duration were associated with an increased risk of HF alerts.