Effect of closed loop stimulation versus accelerometer on outcomes with cardiac resynchronization therapy: the CLASS trial

Abstract

Purpose: Chronotropic incompetence (CI) in patients with heart failure is common and associated with impaired exercise intolerance and adverse outcomes. This study sought to determine the effects of closed loop stimulation (CLS) rate-adaptive pacing on functional capacity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and CI implanted with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices.

Methods: A randomized, blinded, cross-over designed trial enrolled patients with HFrEF and CI implanted with a Biotronik CRT-D to complete a quality of life questionnaire, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), and cardiopulmonary exercise testing after two programmed periods: 1-week period of CLS and 1-week period of standard accelerometer (DDDR).

Results: Nine patients (6 males, mean age 71.4 years, 7 with New York Heart Association Class III, mean ejection fraction 39 ± 8%) were enrolled. Quality of life trended higher in CLS as compared to DDDR (550.8 ± 123.9 vs 489.3 ± 164.9, p = 0.06). There were no differences between CLS and DDDR in 6MWD (293.1 ± 90.2 m vs 315.1 ± 95.5 m, p = 0.52), peak heart rate (HR) 110.7 ± 14.7 bpm vs 109.7 bpm ± 14.1, p = 0.67), or peak VO2 (12.3 ± 4.9 ml/kg/min vs 12.9 ± 5.9, p = 0.47). As tests were submaximal as indicated by low respiratory exchange ratios (0.98 ± 0.11 vs 1.0 ± 0.8, p = 0.35), VE/VCO₂ slope also showed no difference between CLS and DDDR (35.8 ± 5.6 vs 35.4 ± 5.7, p = 0.65). Five patients (56%) preferred CLS programming (p = 1.0).

Conclusions: In patients with HFrEF and CI implanted with a CRT-D, peak HR, peak VO2, and 6MWD were equivalent, while there was a trend toward improved quality of life in CLS as compared to DDDR.

Clinical trial registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02693262.

Keywords: CRT; Chronotropic incompetence; Closed loop stimulation; Heart failure.