Abstract
PURPOSE: The potential of pacing and capturing the His-Purkinje system (HPS) to synchronize VF wavefronts is not known even though the HPS is thought to be electrically linked during VF. In this study the effect of selective His Bundle (HB) pacing was compared with nearby working myocardial (WM) pacing on the left ventricular (LV) endocardial activation rates. METHODS: Rabbit hearts (n = 9) were explanted and Langendorff perfused. Electrodes directly on the HB were identified and paced subsequently using an electrode array. The WM was paced through a silver wire inserted in the right ventricular septal wall. After VF was induced, the HB was paced at rates faster than the intrinsic HB activation rate (n = 18 episodes) and also at rates faster than the LV activation rate (n = 16). A basket array inserted in the LV was used to record electrograms before and during each pacing episode. Activation rates at five LV electrodes each from the earliest and latest activating sinus rhythm regions were analyzed before and during pacing. RESULTS: Both HB and WM pacing reduced LV activation rates during pacing, but WM pacing was more effective (p < 0.005). WM pacing events were more effective (p < 0.05) in reducing LV activation rates than HB pacing in episodes which were faster than LV activation rates. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that during early VF in rabbit hearts, the HPS cannot be driven to effectively modulate the LV activation rates.