A Novel and Simple Exercise Test Parameter to Assess Responsiveness to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Alina-Ramona Cozlac,
Lucian Petrescu,
Simina Crisan,
Constantin Tudor Luca,
Cristina Vacarescu,
Caius Glad Streian,
Mihai-Andrei Lazar,
Andra Gurgu,
Angela Dragomir,
Emilia Violeta Goanta,
Radu Vatasescu,
Kandara Mohamed Chahine,
Ciprian Rachieru,
Dragos Cozma
Affiliations
Alina-Ramona Cozlac
Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Lucian Petrescu
Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Simina Crisan
Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Constantin Tudor Luca
Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Cristina Vacarescu
Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Caius Glad Streian
Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Mihai-Andrei Lazar
Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Andra Gurgu
Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Angela Dragomir
Cardiology Department, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Timisoara, 13A Gheorghe Adam Street, 300310 Timisoara, Romania
Emilia Violeta Goanta
Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Radu Vatasescu
Department 4, Cardio-Thoracic Pathology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dionisie Lupu Street, no. 37, Sector 2, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
Kandara Mohamed Chahine
Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Ciprian Rachieru
Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Dragos Cozma
Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
This study assessed the value of heart rate recovery index (HRRI), a new parameter of an exercise test, as the predictor of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Methods: Consecutive patients receiving a CRT device were followed up after implantation and every 6 months. An effort test (ET) was quantified by minimum heart rate/maximum heart rate, as well as acceleration and deceleration times. HRRI was calculated as the ratio between acceleration and deceleration time (AT/DT) and compared to outcome. We used logistic regression to assess the predictive value of HRRI for responders and non-responders to CRT. The area under the curve (AUC) was computed to distinguish between positive and negative outcomes. Results: A total of 109 patients (74 men, mean age 63.3 ± 9.8 years) were analyzed; permanent long-term fusion CRT pacing was possible in 65 patients. Patients were assigned to two groups: responders and non-responders (98/11 patients). During a mean follow-up of 36 months, 545 ETs were performed. HRRI was significantly higher in responders versus non-responders (3.16 ± 2 vs. 1.4 ± 0.5, p p p Conclusions: HRRI computation during routine ET is useful for the evaluation of responsiveness to CRT.
