The Effect of Right Ventricular Pacing on Myocardial Oxidative Metabolism and Efficiency

Right ventricular (RV) apical pacing induces a left bundle branch block (LBBB) type electrical activation sequence in the heart. This abnormal activation pattern of the ventricles may have detrimental effects on cardiac structure and function. RV pacing has been shown to impair left ventricular (LV) function both in normal and failing hearts. Importantly, it has been demonstrated that this deterioration in LV function is related to the presence of LV dyssynchrony during RV pacing. The exact effects of RV pacing on myocardial perfusion, oxidative metabolism and cardiac efficiency have not been fully elucidated. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of RV pacing on both global and regional oxidative metabolism and perfusion, and myocardial efficiency. In addition, the effect of RV pacing induced LV dyssynchrony on myocardial oxidative metabolism and efficiency will be studied. Our hypothesis is that LV dyssynchrony during RV pacing results in regional abnormalities in LV perfusion and oxidative metabolism. LV dyssynchrony will also result in altered myocardial efficiency.