Primary Outcome Measures:
- LV ejection fraction measured by radionuclide ventriculography (RVG).
Secondary Outcome Measures:
- 1. left ventricular diastolic and systolic function indices 2-D echocardiogram/Doppler (ECHO/DOPP)
- 2. all cause mortality
- 3.non-fatal thromboembolic events including stroke
- 4.heart failure hospitalization or intravenous drug therapy in an outpatient heart failure clinic
- 5.occurrence of new-onset atrial fibrillation or progression to permanent atrial fibrillation
- 6. symptoms and quality of life scores (DUke Activity Status Index, short form (SF)-12 scores
- 7. NYHA class using SAS survey, 6 minute hall walk distance
- 8. serum brain natriuretic peptide level (BNP), which has been shown to be elevated in ventricular paced patients
- 9. lead-related complications such as lead dislodgement, myocardial perforation, lead integrity failure, high pacing threshold
- 10. total implant procedure and flouroscopy time
The primary objective of this study is to compare the effect of RV pacing site on LV systolic function as measured by LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction).
Secondary objectives of this trial include:
- to compare the effect of RVSeptal(RVS) versus RVApical(RVA)pacing on other indices of systolic and diastolic LV function
- to compare the rate of heart failure-related hospitalization between RVS versus RVA pacing
- to compare new-onset atrial fibrillation and stroke rates between RVS versus RVA pacing
- to assess the effect of RVA versus RVS pacing on quality of life and functional capacity
- to compare the rate of successful pacemaker lead implantation, complications and chronic electrical performance of RVS versus RVA pacing