Safety and Feasibility of His-Purkinje System Pacing for Over
85-year-old Patients with Symptomatic Bradycardia: A Comparative Study
with A Younger Cohort.
Abstract
Introduction: His-Purkinje system (HPS) pacing emerges as an ideal
strategy to restore cardiac synchrony. However, there is insufficient
evidence to confirm the safety of HPS pacing in advanced age patients
who are vulnerable to invasive procedures. Methods: We aimed to evaluate
the short-term feasibility and safety of HPS pacing in symptomatic
bradycardia patients over 85 years of age by comparing the pacing
parameters and clinical outcomes with a younger cohort. 189 out of 198
consecutive patients underwent HPS pacing with symptomatic bradycardia
were included. Among them 37 and 152 were aged over 85 years and below
85 years respectively. Peri- and post-procedure pacing parameters,
cardiac function and clinical events were thoroughly evaluated during
follow-up. Results: Compared with the younger cohort, the elderly had
worse renal function and cardiac function. All 189 patients underwent
successful HPS pacing, among whom 28 were paced at His-bundle. Paced QRS
duration was shortened non-significantly compared with intrinsic, which
showed no difference between cohorts. Pacing threshold and impedance
decreased significantly without difference between cohorts. Lead
dislodgement and pocket hematoma/infection only occurred in 2 (1.3%)
and 4 (0.7%) younger patients, respectively. Through a 10.5±3.0 months
follow-up, A non-significant improvement in cardiac function was
indicated by echocardiographic indices. Clinical events incidences were
comparable, except a higher incidence of myocardial infarction (8.1% vs
0.7%) observed in the advanced age cohort. Conclusion: Compared with
the younger, HPS pacing could safely restore physiological conduction
and reserve cardiac function in advanced age patients with symptomatic
bradycardia.