Pacemaker implantation as a risk factor for heart failure in young adults with congenital heart disease

Aim: Complete postoperative heart block following open-heart surgery and sinus node dysfunction are indications for permanent cardiac pacing in children with congenital heart defects. The purpose of our study was to evaluate if cardiac pacing is a risk factor of heart failure during longtime follow-up of grown ups with congenital heart disease (GUCH). Methods: For an objective assessment of heart failure, NT-Pro brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and maximal oxygen uptake index (VO2max) during the cardiopulmonary exercise testing were measured in 346 consecutive GUCH patients during a longtime follow-up examination. Results: Thirty-nine of these patients who had pacemaker implantation had significantly increased BNP levels (448.2 +/- 76.8 vs 123.8 +/- 9.7 pg/mL, P < 0.0001) and significantly decreased VO2max (22.5 +/- 0.9 vs 27.4 +/- 0.4, P < 0.0001). Heart failure in pacemaker patients was associated with significantly prolonged QRS complex durations (171.1 +/- 8.3 ms vs 108.7 +/- 1.8 ms, P < 0.0001), increased right ventricular end diastolic diameters (38.7 +/- 2.1 mm vs 27.8 +/- 0.5 mm, P < 0.0001), lower heart rates at rest (69.5 +/- 1.9/min vs 82 +/- 1/min, P < 0.0001), and at exercise (140.3 +/- 5.8/min vs 163.5 +/- 1.2/min, P < 0.0001). Mean fractional shortening of the left ventricle was normal in both patient groups. Conclusion: Pacemaker implantation may be associated with heart failure during longtime follow-up of GUCH indicated by significantly elevated BNP levels and decreased VO2max. Possible explanations are prolongation of QRS complex duration, decreased maximal heart rates during exercise, and dilatation of the right ventricle.