Cardiac pacemaker for the treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a concept which is gaining ground
Kappenberger, L.; Jeanrenaud, X.; Aebischer, N.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift 125(41): 1950-1955
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7672 PMID: 7481653 Document Number: 453153
Pacing reduces the sub-aortic pressure gradient in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. This phenomenon was described long ago but only recently, with the development of sophisticated pacemakers, has it become possible to use pacemakers for the long term treatment of this disease. The acute hemodynamic improvement with pacemaker treatment is well documented. The reason for this acute and chronic improvement is of multiple origin. Pacing modulates the activation sequence of the left ventricle, reduces contractility, reduces subaortic flow velocities, influences mitral valve movement and leads to remodeling of the ventricle in the long term. All these factors together explain the clinical and hemodynamic improvement in patients suffering from hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.