The relationship between atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction disorders and mitral regurgitation and the impact that implantable devices have upon it

Contact address: Oana Andrei, MD Emergency Institute for Cadiovascular Diseases “Prof. Dr. C. C. Iliescu” Sos. Fundeni 258, sector 2, 022328, Bucharest, Romania INTRODUCTION Along with increasing population age the prevalence of conduction disorders has also increased. The only effective therapy of symptomatic conduction disorders is pacing. Each year ~750000 new pacemakers1 are implanted. Despite the clinical investigations conducted for nearly 20 years, the optimal way of pacing remains a controversial issue. Atrioventricular conduction disturbances2,3, left bundle branch block (LBBB)4,5 and right ventricular pacing6,7 show an impact on mitral regurgitation and ventricular function even in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The magnitude and mechanics by which they infl uence mitral regurgitation are still not quantifi ed.