Prognostic implication of baseline PR interval in cardiac resynchronization therapy recipients

Background Prolongation of the baseline ECG PR interval is frequently encountered among cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients. There are conflicting data regarding the association of a prolonged PR interval with long-term clinical outcome in this patient group. Objective The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes and response to CRT in patients with normal (<200 ms) vs prolonged (≥200 ms) baseline PR interval. Methods In this study, 283 patients (normal PR interval: n = 158; prolonged PR interval: n = 125) with documented baseline intrinsic PR interval were followed for 3 years after CRT implantation. The study population consisted of 24.7% women (mean age 66 ± 13 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 24% ± 7%). Results A Cox proportional hazard model identified baseline PR interval as a predictor of the composite end-point (all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, left ventricular assist device implantation, and heart transplantation) in univariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–2.17, P = .04) but not in multivariate analysis. It also predicted heart failure hospitalization in univariate (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.4, P = .02) and multivariate analysis (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.3, P = .03). A prolonged PR interval was associated with lower probability of reverse remodeling defined as ≥10% improvement in ejection fraction (64% vs 77%, P = .057), especially in patients with non–left bundle branch block ECG morphology (41% vs 68%, P = .03). Conclusion Among patients with CRT, a prolonged baseline PR interval is an independent predictor of worse prognosis and lower probability of reverse remodeling, especially for patients with non–left bundle branch block morphology on ECG. Prolongation of the baseline ECG PR interval is frequently encountered among cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients. There are conflicting data regarding the association of a prolonged PR interval with long-term clinical outcome in this patient group. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes and response to CRT in patients with normal (<200 ms) vs prolonged (≥200 ms) baseline PR interval. In this study, 283 patients (normal PR interval: n = 158; prolonged PR interval: n = 125) with documented baseline intrinsic PR interval were followed for 3 years after CRT implantation. The study population consisted of 24.7% women (mean age 66 ± 13 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 24% ± 7%). A Cox proportional hazard model identified baseline PR interval as a predictor of the composite end-point (all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, left ventricular assist device implantation, and heart transplantation) in univariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–2.17, P = .04) but not in multivariate analysis. It also predicted heart failure hospitalization in univariate (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.4, P = .02) and multivariate analysis (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.3, P = .03). A prolonged PR interval was associated with lower probability of reverse remodeling defined as ≥10% improvement in ejection fraction (64% vs 77%, P = .057), especially in patients with non–left bundle branch block ECG morphology (41% vs 68%, P = .03). Among patients with CRT, a prolonged baseline PR interval is an independent predictor of worse prognosis and lower probability of reverse remodeling, especially for patients with non–left bundle branch block morphology on ECG.