Dual-chamber ICD for left bundle branch area pacing: the cardiac resynchronization and arrhythmia sensing via the left bundle (cross-left) pilot study

BackgroundLeft bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has emerged as a promising technique to deliver cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, safety and efficacy of ventricular arrhythmia sensing via the left bundle in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) recipients remain unclear. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of a single LBBAP lead connected to a dual-chamber ICD in patients indicated with a CRT-D implantation.MethodsThe CROSS-LEFT pilot study prospectively included 10 consecutive patients with a reduced ejection fraction and a complete left bundle branch block, indicated with a prophylactic CRT-D. A DF-1 lead was implanted at the right ventricular (RV) apex, and an LBBAP lead through the interventricular septum. Ventricular fibrillation was induced at implantation in both conventional (RV) and left bundle branch area sensing configurations. The latter was the final sensing configuration, and patients were implanted with a dual-chamber DF-1 ICD connected to the atrial lead (RA port), the LBBAP lead (RV IS-1 port), and the defibrillation lead (RV DF-1 port), the IS-1 pin being capped. Atrioventricular delay was optimized to ensure fusion between LBBAP and native conduction from the right bundle. Patients were followed during 6 months.ResultsNo difference between both configurations was observed regarding R-wave sensing in sinus rhythm (p = 0.22), ventricular fibrillation median interval detection (p = 1.00), or total induced episode duration (p = 0.78). LBBAP resulted in a significant reduction of median QRS width from 164 to 126 ms (p = 0.002). Median ventricular sensing significantly improved from 9.7 at implantation to 18.8 mV at 6 months (p = 0.01). Median LVEF also significantly improved from 29 to 44% at 6 months (p = 0.002).ConclusionVentricular arrhythmia sensing and defibrillation can be performed via a single LBBAP lead connected to a dual-chamber ICD, and is associated with significant electromechanical reverse remodeling.Clinical trial registration numberNCT05102227Graphical abstractIn patients presenting with left bundle branch block and left ventricular systolic dysfunction, a left bundle branch area pacing lead connected to a DF-1 dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator provides safe ventricular arrhythmia sensing and efficient electro-mechanical resynchronization.