Effects of Cardiac Contractility Modulation Therapy on Right Ventricular Function: An Echocardiographic Study

Abstract

Background. Cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) is a novel device-based therapy for patients with heart failure with reduced and mild reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF/HFmrEF). CCM increases cardiac performance and produces reverse left ventricular remodeling, with improved symptoms, functional capacity, quality of life, and reduced HF-related hospitalizations. However, to date, little evidence is available on the effects of CCM on right ventricle (RV) function. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of CCM on RV systolic function and RV–pulmonary artery (PA) coupling. Methods. Twenty-one (65 ± 12.5 years) patients with NYHA class III, ejection fraction Results. After six months, patients who underwent CCM therapy showed a reduction in RV diameters and improved RV systolic function, as evidenced by the increase in both TAPSE (16.6 ± 4.2 mm vs. 18.5 ± 3.6 mm; p p p p p Conclusions. At six months, CCM increases RV reverse remodeling and performance, reducing RV size and improving RV systolic function, PASP, and RV-PA coupling.

Keywords

• cardiac contractility modulation
• right ventricular function
• right ventricle–pulmonary artery coupling