Clinical/electrophysiologic characteristics of infranodal Wenckebach in patients with indication for permanent ventricular pacing: A prospective study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Infranodal Wenckebach is rare and not well characterized. OBJECTIVE: We prospectively studied clinical and electrophysiologic characteristics of patients with atrioventricular (AV) Wenckebach with an indication for permanent ventricular pacing. METHODS: During a 2-year period, all patients with an indication for permanent ventricular pacing underwent targeted preimplantation electrophysiologic study. Clinical and electrophysiologic characteristics at presentation and ventricular pacing percentage at 6-month follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 163 patients (median age, 68 [interquartile range, 60-74] years; male, 59%; median QRS duration, 110 [90-130] ms; complete AV block in 123 [75.5%]) were included. AV Wenckebach was noted in 22 (13.4%) patients (median age, 70 [63-76.5] years; male, 54%; median QRS duration, 120 [110-140] ms) and classified as infranodal (12/163 [7.3%]) vs AV nodal (10/163 [6.1%]). Patients with infranodal Wenckebach (infrahisian in all), compared with AV nodal Wenckebach, demonstrated higher frequency with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% (41.7% vs 0%; P = .04), longer median HV interval (90 vs 49 ms; P = .005), lower frequency of isolated first-degree AV block (8.3% vs 60%; P = .02), higher frequency of right bundle branch block with left anterior fascicular block (75% vs 10%; P = .003), lesser PR increment at onset of AV Wenckebach (20.5 vs 80 ms; P = .002), and onset of 21 AV block at longer cycle lengths (91.7% vs 20%; P = .002). CONCLUSION: Of patients referred for pacemaker implantation, infranodal Wenckebach was present in 27.5% (11/40) without complete AV block. It was as frequent as AV nodal Wenckebach and associated with characteristic electrophysiologic findings.