Feasibility and Efficacy of His Bundle Pacing or Left Bundle Pacing Combined With Atrioventricular Node Ablation in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation and Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy

Background Persistent atrial fibrillation may lead to a higher probability of inappropriate shocks in heart failure patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of His-Purkinje conduction system pacing combined with atrioventricular node ablation in improving heart function and preventing inappropriate shock therapy in these patients. Methods and Results A total of 86 consecutive patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and heart failure who had indications for ICD implantation were enrolled from January 2010 to March 2018. His-Purkinje conduction system pacing with ICD and atrioventricular node ablation was attempted in 55 patients, and the remaining patients underwent ICD implantation only. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, LV end-systolic volume, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, shock therapies, and drug therapy were assessed during follow-up. Overall, 31 patients received ICD implantation with optimal drug therapy (group 1). atrioventricular node ablation combined with His-Purkinje conduction system pacing was successfully achieved in 52 patients (group 2). During follow-up, patients in group 2 had lower incidence of inappropriate shock (15.6% versus 0%, P<0.01) and adverse events (P=0.011). Meanwhile, improvement in LV ejection fraction and reduction in LV end-systolic volume were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (15% versus 3%, P<0.001; and 40 versus 2 mL, P<0.01, respectively). NYHA functional class improved in both groups from a baseline 2.57±0.68 to 1.73±0.74 in group 1 and 2.73±0.59 to 1.42±0.53 in group 2 (P<0.01). Conclusions His-Purkinje conduction system pacing combined with atrioventricular node ablation is feasible and safe with a high success rate in persistent atrial fibrillation patients with heart failure and ICD indication. It can significantly reduce the incidence of inappropriate shocks and improve LV function.