PRACTICE GUIDELINE: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ACC/AHA/HRS 2008 Guidelines for Device-Based Therapy of Cardiac Rhythm Abnormalities: Executive Summary
American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the ACC/AHA/NASPE 2002 Guideline Update for Implantation of Cardiac Pacemakers and Antiarrhythmia Devices) American Association for Thoracic Surgery and Society of Thoracic Surgeons,
Andrew E. Epstein, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS, Chair*,
John P. DiMarco, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS*,
Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS*,
N.A. Mark Estes, III, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS,
Roger A. Freedman, MD, FACC, FHRS*,
Leonard S. Gettes, MD, FACC, FAHA,
A. Marc Gillinov, MD, FACC, FAHA*,
,
Gabriel Gregoratos, MD, FACC, FAHA,
Stephen C. Hammill, MD, FACC, FHRS,
David L. Hayes, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS*,
Mark A. Hlatky, MD, FACC, FAHA,
L. Kristin Newby, MD, FACC, FAHA,
Richard L. Page, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS,
Mark H. Schoenfeld, MD, FACC, FAHA, FHRS,
Michael J. Silka, MD, FACC,
Lynne Warner Stevenson, MD, FACC, FAHA
,
Michael O. Sweeney, MD, FACC*
Key Words: ACC/AHA practice guideline • device-based therapy • implantable cardioverter-defibrillator • implantable coronary device • arrhythmia • pacemaker • pacing • cardiomyopathy.
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ACC/AHA Task Force Members
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Sidney C. Smith, JR, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair
Alice K. Jacobs, MD, FACC, FAHA, Vice-Chair
Cynthia D. Adams, RN, PHD, FAHA
Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD, FACC, FAHA
Christopher E. Buller, MD, FACC
Mark A. Creager, MD, FACC, FAHA
Steven M. Ettinger, MD, FACC
David P. Faxon, MD, FACC, FAHA
Jonathan L. Halperin, MD, FACC, FAHA
Loren F. Hiratzka, MD, FACC, FAHA
Sharon A. Hunt, MD, FACC, FAHA
Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, FACC, FAHA
Frederick G. Kushner, MD, FACC, FAHA
Bruce W. Lytle, MD, FACC, FAHA
Rick A. Nishimura, MD, FACC, FAHA
Joseph P. Ornato, MD, FACC, FAHA
Richard L. Page, MD, FACC, FAHA
Barbara Riegel, DNSC, RN, FAHA
Lynn G. Tarkington, RN
Clyde W. Yancy, MD, FACC, FAHA
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Table of contents
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- Preamble......2086
- 1 Introduction......2087
- 1.1 Organization of Committee......2087
- 1.2 Document Review and Approval......2087
- 1.3 Methodology and Evidence......2088
- 2 Recommendations for Permanent Pacing in Sinus Node Dysfunction......2090
- 3 Recommendations for Acquired Atrioventricular Block in Adults......2091
- 4 Recommendations for Permanent Pacing in Chronic Bifascicular Block......2093
- 5 Recommendations for Permanent Pacing After the Acute Phase of Myocardial Infarction......2093
- 6 Recommendations for Permanent Pacing in Hypersensitive Carotid Sinus Syndrome and Neurocardiogenic Syncope......2093
- 7 Recommendations for Pacing After Cardiac Transplantation......2093
- 8 Recommendations for Permanent Pacemakers That Automatically Detect and Pace to Terminate Tachycardias......2094
- 9 Recommendations for Pacing to Prevent Tachycardia......2094
- 10 Recommendation for Pacing to Prevent Atrial Fibrillation......2094
- 11 Recommendations for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients With Severe Systolic Heart Failure......2094
- 12 Recommendations for Pacing in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy......2094
- 13 Recommendations for Permanent Pacing in Children, Adolescents, and Patients With Congenital Heart Disease......2095
- 14 Recommendations for Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators......2095
- 15 Recommendations for Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators in Pediatric Patients and Patients With Congenital Heart Disease......2097
- References......2097
- Appendix 1. Author Relationships With Industry......2101
- Appendix 2. Peer Reviewer Relationships With Industry......2103
- Appendix 3. Abbreviations List......2105
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Preamble
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It is important that the medical profession play a significant role in critically evaluating the use of diagnostic procedures and therapies as they are introduced and tested in the detection, management, or prevention of disease states. Rigorous and expert analysis of the available data documenting absolute and relative benefits and risks of those procedures and therapies can produce helpful guidelines that improve the effectiveness of care, optimize patient outcomes, and favorably affect the overall cost of care by focusing resources on the most effective strategies.
The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have jointly engaged in the production of such guidelines in the area of cardiovascular disease since 1980. The American College of Cardiology (ACC)/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines, whose charge is to develop, update, or revise practice guidelines for important cardiovascular diseases and procedures, directs this effort. Writing committees are charged with the task of performing an assessment of the evidence and acting as an independent group of authors to develop, update, or revise written recommendations for clinical practice.
Experts in the subject under consideration have been selected from both organizations to examine subject-specific data and write guidelines. The process includes additional representatives from other medical practitioner and specialty groups when appropriate. Writing committees are specifically charged to perform a formal literature review, weigh the strength of evidence for or against a particular treatment or procedure, and include estimates of expected health outcomes where data exist. Patient-specific modifiers and comorbidities and issues of patient preference that may influence the choice of particular tests or therapies are considered, as well as frequency of follow-up and cost-effectiveness. When available, information from studies on cost will be considered; however, review of data on efficacy and clinical outcomes will constitute the primary basis for preparing recommendations in these guidelines.
The ACC/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines makes every effort to avoid any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of an industry relationship or personal interest of the writing committee. Specifically, all members of the writing committee, as well as peer reviewers of the document, were asked to provide disclosure statements of all such relationships that may be perceived as real or potential conflicts of interest. Writing committee members are also strongly encouraged to declare a previous relationship with industry that may be perceived as relevant to guideline development. If a writing committee member develops a new relationship with industry during his or her tenure, he or she is required to notify guideline staff in writing. The continued participation of the writing committee member will be reviewed. These statements are reviewed by the parent task force, reported orally to all members of the writing committee at each meeting, and updated and reviewed by the writing committee as changes occur. Please refer to the methodology manual for ACC/AHA guideline writing committees for further description of the relationships with industry policy (1). See Appendix 1 for author relationships with industry and Appendix 2 for peer reviewer relationships with industry that are pertinent to this guideline.
These practice guidelines are intended to assist health care providers in clinical decision making by describing a range of generally acceptable approaches for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of specific diseases or conditions. Clinical decision making should consider the quality and availability of expertise in the area where care is provided. These guidelines attempt to define practices that meet the needs of most patients in most circumstances. These guideline recommendations reflect a consensus of expert opinion after a thorough review of the available current scientific evidence and are intended to improve patient care.
Patient adherence to prescribed and agreed upon medical regimens and lifestyles is an important aspect of treatment. Prescribed courses of treatment in accordance with these recommendations will only be effective if they are followed. Because lack of patient understanding and adherence may adversely affect treatment outcomes, physicians and other health care providers should make every effort to engage the patient in active participation with prescribed medical regimens and lifestyles.
If these guidelines are used as the basis for regulatory or payer decisions, the ultimate goal is quality of care and serving the patient's best interests. The ultimate judgment regarding care of a particular patient must be made by the health care provider and the patient in light of all of the circumstances presented by that patient. There are circumstances in which deviations from these guidelines are appropriate.
The guidelines will be reviewed annually by the ACC/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines and will be considered current unless they are updated, revised, or sunsetted and withdrawn from distribution. The executive summary and recommendations are published in the May 27, 2008, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, May 27, 2008, issue of Circulation, and the June 2008 issue of Heart Rhythm. The full-text guidelines are e-published in the same issue of the journals noted above, as well as posted on the ACC (www.acc.org), AHA (http://my.americanheart.org), and Heart Rhythm Society (HRS)(www.hrsonline.org) Web sites. Copies of the full-text and the executive summary are available from each organization.
Sidney C. Smith, Jr, MD, FACC, FAHA Chair, ACC/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Organization of Committee.
This revision of the "ACC/AHA/NASPE Guidelines for Implantation of Cardiac Pacemakers and Antiarrhythmia Devices" updates the previous versions published in 1984, 1991, 1998, and 2002. Revision of the statement was deemed necessary for multiple reasons: 1) Major studies have been reported that have advanced our knowledge of the natural history of bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias, which may be treated optimally with device therapy; 2) there have been tremendous changes in the management of heart failure that involve both drug and device therapy; and 3) major advances in the technology of devices to treat, delay, and even prevent morbidity and mortality from bradyarrhythmias, tachyarrhythmias, and heart failure have occurred.
The committee to revise the "ACC/AHA/NASPE Guidelines for Implantation of Cardiac Pacemakers and Antiarrhythmia Devices" was composed of physicians who are experts in the areas of device therapy and follow-up and senior clinicians skilled in cardiovascular care, internal medicine, cardiovascular surgery, ethics, and socioeconomics. The committee included representatives of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, Heart Failure Society of America, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
1.2 Document Review and Approval.
The document was reviewed by 2 official reviewers nominated by each of the ACC, AHA, and HRS and by 11 additional peer reviewers. Of the total 17 peer reviewers, 10 had no significant relevant relationships with industry. In addition, this document has been reviewed and approved by the governing bodies of the ACC, AHA, and HRS, which include 19 ACC Board of Trustees members (none of whom had any significant relevant relationships with industry), 15 AHA Science Advisory Coordinating Committee members (none of whom had any significant relevant relationships with industry), and 14 HRS Board of Trustees members (6 of whom had no significant relevant relationships with industry). All guideline recommendations underwent a formal, blinded writing committee vote. Writing committee members were required to recuse themselves if they had a significant relevant relationship with industry. The guideline recommendations were unanimously approved by all members of the writing committee who were eligible to vote.
1.3 Methodology and Evidence.
The recommendations listed in this document are, whenever possible, evidence based. An extensive literature survey was conducted and limited to studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted in human subjects and published in English. Additionally, the committee reviewed documents related to the subject matter previously published by the ACC, AHA, and HRS. References selected and published in this document are representative and not all-inclusive.
The committee reviewed and ranked evidence supporting current recommendations, with the weight of evidence ranked as Level A if the data were derived from multiple randomized clinical trials that involved a large number of individuals. The committee ranked available evidence as Level B when data were derived either from a limited number of trials that involved a comparatively small number of patients or from well-designed data analyses of nonrandomized studies or observational data registries. Evidence was ranked as Level C when the consensus of experts was the primary source of the recommendation. In the narrative portions of these guidelines, evidence is generally presented in chronological order of development. Studies are identified as observational, randomized, prospective, or retrospective. The committee emphasizes that for certain conditions for which no other therapy is available, the indications for device therapy are based on expert consensus and years of clinical experience and are thus well supported, even though the evidence was ranked as Level C. An analogous example is the use of penicillin in pneumococcal pneumonia, for which there are no randomized trials and only clinical experience. When indications at Level C are supported by historical clinical data, appropriate references (e.g., case reports and clinical reviews) are cited if available. When Level C indications are based strictly on committee consensus, no references are cited. In areas where sparse data were available (e.g., pacing in children and adolescents), a survey of current practices of major centers in North America was conducted to determine whether there was a consensus regarding specific pacing indications.
The schema for classification of recommendations and level of evidence is summarized in Table 1, which also illustrates how the grading system provides an estimate of the size of the treatment effect and an estimate of the certainty of the treatment effect.
The focus of these guidelines is the appropriate use of devices (e.g., pacemakers for bradyarrhythmias and heart failure management, cardiac resynchronization, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators [ICDs]), not the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. The fact that the use of a device for treatment of a particular condition is listed as a Class I indication (beneficial, useful, and effective) does not preclude the use of other therapeutic modalities that may be equally effective. As with all clinical practice guidelines, the recommendations in this document focus on treatment of an average patient with a specific disorder and may be modified by patient comorbidities, limitation of life expectancy because of coexisting diseases, and other situations that only the primary treating physician may evaluate appropriately.
The term "symptomatic bradycardia" is used in this document. Symptomatic bradycardia is defined as a documented bradyarrhythmia that is directly responsible for development of the clinical manifestations of syncope or near syncope, transient dizziness or lightheadedness, or confusional states resulting from cerebral hypoperfusion attributable to slow heart rate. Fatigue, exercise intolerance, and congestive heart failure may also result from bradycardia. These symptoms may occur at rest or with exertion. Definite correlation of symptoms with a bradyarrhythmia is required to fulfill the criteria that define symptomatic bradycardia. Caution should be exercised not to confuse physiological sinus bradycardia (as occurs in highly trained athletes) with pathological bradyarrhythmias. Occasionally, symptoms may become apparent only in retrospect after antibradycardia pacing. Nevertheless, the universal application of pacing therapy to treat a specific heart rate cannot be recommended except in specific circumstances, as detailed subsequently.
In these guidelines, the terms "persistent," "transient," and "not expected to resolve" are used but not specifically defined because the time element varies in different clinical conditions. The treating physician must use appropriate clinical judgment and available data in deciding when a condition is persistent or when it can be expected to be transient.
Recommendations for ICD implantation have been updated to reflect the numerous new developments in this field and the voluminous literature related to the efficacy of these devices in the treatment and prophylaxis of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Indications for ICDs, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices, and combined ICDs and CRT devices are continuously changing and can be expected to change further as new trials are reported. Indeed, it is inevitable that the indications for device therapy will be refined with respect to both expanded use and the identification of patients expected to benefit the most from these therapies. Furthermore, it is emphasized that when a patient has an indication for both a pacemaker (whether it be single-chamber, dual-chamber, or biventricular) and an ICD, a combined device with appropriate programming is indicated.
The 2008 revision reflects what the committee believes are the most relevant and significant advances in pacemaker/ICD therapy since the publication of these guidelines in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and Circulation in 2002 (2,3).
All recommendations assume that patients are treated with optimal medical therapy according to published guidelines, as had been required in all the randomized controlled clinical trials on which these guidelines are based. The committee believes that comorbidities, life expectancy, and quality-of-life issues must be addressed forthrightly with patients and their families. We have repeatedly used the phrase "reasonable expectation of survival with a good functional status for more than 1 year" to emphasize this integration of factors in decision making. Even when physicians believe that the anticipated benefits warrant device implantation, patients have the option to decline intervention after having been provided with a full explanation of the potential risks and benefits of device therapy. Finally, the committee is aware that other guidelines/expert groups have interpreted the same data differently (4–7).
In preparing this revision, the committee was guided by the following principles:
- 1 Changes in recommendations and levels of evidence were made either because of new randomized trials or because of the accumulation of new clinical evidence and the development of clinical consensus.
- 2 The committee was cognizant of the health care, logistic, and financial implications of recent trials and factored in these considerations to arrive at the classification of certain recommendations.
- 3 For recommendations taken from other guidelines, wording changes were made to render some of the original recommendations more precise.
- 4 The committee would like to re-emphasize that the recommendations in this guideline apply to most patients but may require modification because of existing situations that only the primary treating physician can evaluate properly.
- 5 All of the listed recommendations for implantation of a device presume the absence of inciting causes that may be eliminated without detriment to the patient (e.g., nonessential drug therapy).
- 6 The committee endeavored to maintain consistency of recommendations in this and other previously published guidelines. The recommendations on atrioventricular (AV) block associated with acute myocardial infarction closely follow those in the "ACC/AHA Guidelines for the Management of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction" (8). However, because of the rapid evolution of pacemaker/ICD science, it has not always been possible to maintain consistency with other published guidelines.
The following represents the complete set of recommendations for the implantation of antiarrhythmia devices. Prior executive summaries of ACC/AHA guidelines have included variable amounts of explanatory text ranging from none to large amounts. Because the supporting text in the full-text document was important to the present writing committee, we decided to provide only the recommendations in the Executive Summary and recommend readers access the full-text document for more explanation. Table 2
and Figures 1 and 2
are provided to help practitioners choose which pacing device is appropriate for an individual patient.
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Figure 1 Selection of Pacemaker Systems for Patients With Sinus Node Dysfunction
Decisions are illustrated by diamonds. Shaded boxes indicate type of pacemaker. AV indicates atrioventricular.
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Figure 2 Selection of Pacemaker Systems for Patients With Atrioventricular Block
Decisions are illustrated by diamonds. Shaded boxes indicate type of pacemaker. AV indicates atrioventricular.
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2. Recommendations for Permanent Pacing in Sinus Node Dysfunction
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Class I.
- 1 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for sinus node dysfunction (SND) with documented symptomatic bradycardia, including frequent sinus pauses that produce symptoms. (Level of Evidence: C)(9–11)
- 2 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for symptomatic chronotropic incompetence. (Level of Evidence: C) (9–13)
- 3 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for symptomatic sinus bradycardia that results from required drug therapy for medical conditions. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class IIa.
- 1 Permanent pacemaker implantation is reasonable for SND with heart rate less than 40 bpm when a clear association between significant symptoms consistent with bradycardia and the actual presence of bradycardia has not been documented. (Level of Evidence: C) (9–11,14–16)
- 2 Permanent pacemaker implantation is reasonable for syncope of unexplained origin when clinically significant abnormalities of sinus node function are discovered or provoked in electrophysiological studies. (Level of Evidence: C) (17,18)
Class IIb.
- 1 Permanent pacemaker implantation may be considered in minimally symptomatic patients with chronic heart rate less than 40 bpm while awake. (Level of Evidence: C) (9,11,12,14–16)
Class III.
- 1 Permanent pacemaker implantation is not indicated for SND in asymptomatic patients. (Level of Evidence: C)
- 2 Permanent pacemaker implantation is not indicated for SND in patients for whom the symptoms suggestive of bradycardia have been clearly documented to occur in the absence of bradycardia. (Level of Evidence: C)
- 3 Permanent pacemaker implantation is not indicated for SND with symptomatic bradycardia due to nonessential drug therapy. (Level of Evidence: C)
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3. Recommendations for Acquired Atrioventricular Block in Adults
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Class I.
- 1 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for third-degree and advanced second-degree AV block at any anatomic level associated with bradycardia with symptoms (including heart failure) or ventricular arrhythmias presumed to be due to AV block. (Level of Evidence: C) (15,19–21)
- 2 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for third-degree and advanced second-degree AV block at any anatomic level associated with arrhythmias and other medical conditions that require drug therapy that results in symptomatic bradycardia. (Level of Evidence: C) (15,19–21)
- 3 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for third-degree and advanced second-degree AV block at any anatomic level in awake, symptom-free patients in sinus rhythm, with documented periods of asystole greater than or equal to 3.0 seconds (22) or any escape rate less than 40 bpm, or with an escape rhythm that is below the AV node. (Level of Evidence: C) (9,14)
- 4 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for third-degree and advanced second-degree AV block at any anatomic level in awake, symptom-free patients with atrial fibrillation and bradycardia with 1 or more pauses of at least 5 seconds or longer. (Level of Evidence: C)
- 5 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for third-degree and advanced second-degree AV block at any anatomic level after catheter ablation of the AV junction. (Level of Evidence: C) (23,24)
- 6 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for third-degree and advanced second-degree AV block at any anatomic level associated with postoperative AV block that is not expected to resolve after cardiac surgery. (Level of Evidence: C) (21,25–27)
- 7 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for third-degree and advanced second-degree AV block at any anatomic level associated with neuromuscular diseases with AV block, such as myotonic muscular dystrophy, Kearns-Sayre syndrome, Erb dystrophy (limb-girdle muscular dystrophy), and peroneal muscular atrophy, with or without symptoms. (Level of Evidence: B) (28–34)
- 8 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for second-degree AV block with associated symptomatic bradycardia regardless of type or site of block. (Level of Evidence: B) (35)
- 9 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for asymptomatic persistent third-degree AV block at any anatomic site with average awake ventricular rates of 40 bpm or faster if cardiomegaly or left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is present or if the site of block is below the AV node. (Level of Evidence: B) (20,36)
- 10 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for second- or third-degree AV block during exercise in the absence of myocardial ischemia. (Level of Evidence: C) (37,38)
Class IIa.
- 1 Permanent pacemaker implantation is reasonable for persistent third-degree AV block with an escape rate greater than 40 bpm in asymptomatic adult patients without cardiomegaly. (Level of Evidence: C) (15,19–21,38,39)
- 2 Permanent pacemaker implantation is reasonable for asymptomatic second-degree AV block at intra- or infra-His levels found at electrophysiological study. (Level of Evidence: B) (20,35,36)
- 3 Permanent pacemaker implantation is reasonable for first- or second-degree AV block with symptoms similar to those of pacemaker syndrome or hemodynamic compromise. (Level of Evidence: B) (40,41)
- 4 Permanent pacemaker implantation is reasonable for asymptomatic type II second-degree AV block with a narrow QRS. When type II second-degree AV block occurs with a wide QRS, including isolated right bundle-branch block, pacing becomes a Class I recommendation. (See Section 2.1.3, "Chronic Bifascicular Block," in the full-text guidelines.) (Level of Evidence: B) (20,21,40,42)
Class IIb.
- 1 Permanent pacemaker implantation may be considered for neuromuscular diseases such as myotonic muscular dystrophy, Erb dystrophy (limb-girdle muscular dystrophy), and peroneal muscular atrophy with any degree of AV block (including first-degree AV block), with or without symptoms, because there may be unpredictable progression of AV conduction disease. (Level of Evidence: B) (28–34)
- 2 Permanent pacemaker implantation may be considered for AV block in the setting of drug use and/or drug toxicity when the block is expected to recur even after the drug is withdrawn. (Level of Evidence: B) (43,44)
Class III.
- 1 Permanent pacemaker implantation is not indicated for asymptomatic first-degree AV block. (Level of Evidence: B) (45) (See Section 2.1.3, "Chronic Bifascicular Block," in the full-text guidelines.)
- 2 Permanent pacemaker implantation is not indicated for asymptomatic type I second-degree AV block at the supra-His (AV node) level or that which is not known to be intra- or infra-Hisian. (Level of Evidence: C) (35)
- 3 Permanent pacemaker implantation is not indicated for AV block that is expected to resolve and is unlikely to recur (46) (e.g., drug toxicity, Lyme disease, or transient increases in vagal tone, or during hypoxia in sleep apnea syndrome in the absence of symptoms). (Level of Evidence: B) (44,46)
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4. Recommendations for Permanent Pacing in Chronic Bifascicular Block
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Class I.
- 1 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for advanced second-degree AV block or intermittent third-degree AV block. (Level of Evidence: B) (19,39,47–51)
- 2 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for type II second-degree AV block. (Level of Evidence: B) (52–55)
- 3 Permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated for alternating bundle-branch block. (Level of Evidence: C) (56)
Class IIa.
- 1 Permanent pacemaker implantation is reasonable for syncope not demonstrated to be due to AV block when other likely causes have been excluded, specifically ventricular tachycardia (VT). (Level of Evidence: B) (55,57–74)
- 2 Permanent pacemaker implantation is reasonable for an incidental finding at electrophysiological study of a markedly prolonged HV interval (greater than or equal to 100 milliseconds) in asymptomatic patients. (Level of Evidence: B) (65)
- 3 Permanent pacemaker implantation is reasonable for an incidental finding at electrophysiological study of pacing-induced infra-His block that is not physiological. (Level of Evidence: B) (72)
Class IIb.
- 1 Permanent pacemaker implantation may be considered in the setting of neuromuscular diseases such as myotonic muscular dystrophy, Erb dystrophy (limb-girdle muscular dystrophy), and peroneal muscular atrophy with bifascicular block or any fascicular block, with or without symptoms. (Level of Evidence: C) (28–34)
Class III.
- 1 Permanent pacemaker implantation is not indicated for fascicular block without AV block or symptoms. (Level of Evidence: B) (59,61,64,65)
- 2 Permanent pacemaker implantation is not indicated for fascicular block with first-degree AV block without symptoms. (Level of Evidence: B) (59,61,64,65)
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5. Recommendations for Permanent Pacing After the Acute Phase of Myocardial Infarction*
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Class I.
- 1 Permanent ventricular pacing is indicated for persistent second-degree AV block in the His-Purkinje system with alternating bundle-branch block or third-degree AV block within or below the His-Purkinje system after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. (Level of Evidence: B) (54,75–79)
- 2 Permanent ventricular pacing is indicated for transient advanced second- or third-degree infranodal AV block and associated bundle-branch block. If the site of block is uncertain, an electrophysiological study may be necessary. (Level of Evidence: B) (75,76)
- 3 Permanent ventricular pacing is indicated for persistent and symptomatic second- or third-degree AV block. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class IIb.
- 1 Permanent ventricular pacing may be considered for persistent second- or third-degree AV block at the AV node level, even in the absence of symptoms. (Level of Evidence: B) (14)
Class III.
- 1 Permanent ventricular pacing is not indicated for transient AV block in the absence of intraventricular conduction defects. (Level of Evidence: B) (75)
- 2 Permanent ventricular pacing is not indicated for transient AV block in the presence of isolated left anterior fascicular block. (Level of Evidence: B) (77)
- 3 Permanent ventricular pacing is not indicated for new bundle-branch block or fascicular block in the absence of AV block. (Level of Evidence: B) (48,75)
- 4 Permanent ventricular pacing is not indicated for persistent asymptomatic first-degree AV block in the presence of bundle-branch or fascicular block. (Level of Evidence: B) (75)
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6. Recommendations for Permanent Pacing in Hypersensitive Carotid Sinus Syndrome and Neurocardiogenic Syncope
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Class I.
- 1 Permanent pacing is indicated for recurrent syncope caused by spontaneously occurring carotid sinus stimulation and carotid sinus pressure that induces ventricular asystole of more than 3 seconds. (Level of Evidence: C) (80,81)
Class IIa.
- 1 Permanent pacing is reasonable for syncope without clear, provocative events and with a hypersensitive cardioinhibitory response of 3 seconds or longer. (Level of Evidence: C) (80)
Class IIb.
- 1 Permanent pacing may be considered for significantly symptomatic neurocardiogenic syncope associated with bradycardia documented spontaneously or at the time of tilt-table testing. (Level of Evidence: B) (82–85)
Class III.
- 1 Permanent pacing is not indicated for a hypersensitive cardioinhibitory response to carotid sinus stimulation without symptoms or with vague symptoms. (Level of Evidence: C)
- 2 Permanent pacing is not indicated for situational vasovagal syncope in which avoidance behavior is effective and preferred. (Level of Evidence: C)
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7. Recommendations for Pacing After Cardiac Transplantation
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Class I.
- 1 Permanent pacing is indicated for persistent inappropriate or symptomatic bradycardia not expected to resolve and for other Class I indications for permanent pacing. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class IIb.
- 1 Permanent pacing may be considered when relative bradycardia is prolonged or recurrent, which limits rehabilitation or discharge after postoperative recovery from cardiac transplantation. (Level of Evidence: C)
- 2 Permanent pacing may be considered for syncope after cardiac transplantation even when bradyarrhythmia has not been documented. (Level of Evidence: C)
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8. Recommendations for Permanent Pacemakers That Automatically Detect and Pace to Terminate Tachycardias
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Class IIa.
- 1 Permanent pacing is reasonable for symptomatic recurrent supraventricular tachycardia that is reproducibly terminated by pacing when catheter ablation and/or drugs fail to control the arrhythmia or produce intolerable side effects. (Level of Evidence: C) (86–90)
Class III.
- 1 Permanent pacing is not indicated in the presence of an accessory pathway that has the capacity for rapid anterograde conduction. (Level of Evidence: C)
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9. Recommendations for Pacing to Prevent Tachycardia
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Class I.
- 1 Permanent pacing is indicated for sustained pause-dependent VT, with or without QT prolongation. (Level of Evidence: C) (91,92)
Class IIa.
- 1 Permanent pacing is reasonable for high-risk patients with congenital long-QT syndrome. (Level of Evidence: C) (91,92)
Class IIb.
- 1 Permanent pacing may be considered for prevention of symptomatic, drug-refractory, recurrent atrial fibrillation in patients with coexisting SND. (Level of Evidence: B) (93–95)
Class III.
- 1 Permanent pacing is not indicated for frequent or complex ventricular ectopic activity without sustained VT in the absence of the long-QT syndrome. (Level of Evidence: C) (97)
- 2 Permanent pacing is not indicated for torsade de pointes VT due to reversible causes. (Level of Evidence: A) (98,99)
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10. Recommendation for Pacing to Prevent Atrial Fibrillation
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Class III.
- 1 Permanent pacing is not indicated for the prevention of atrial fibrillation in patients without any other indication for pacemaker implantation. (Level of Evidence: B) (100)
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11. Recommendations for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients With Severe Systolic Heart Failure
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Class I.
- 1 For patients who have LV ejection fraction (LVEF) less than or equal to 35%, a QRS duration greater than or equal to 0.12 seconds, and sinus rhythm, CRT with or without an ICD is indicated for the treatment of New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional Class III or ambulatory Class IV heart failure symptoms with optimal recommended medical therapy. (Level of Evidence: A) (101,101a–101c)
Class IIa.
- 1 For patients who have LVEF less than or equal to 35%, a QRS duration greater than or equal to 0.12 seconds, and atrial fibrillation, CRT with or without an ICD is reasonable for the treatment of NYHA functional Class III or ambulatory Class IV heart failure symptoms on optimal recommended medical therapy. (Level of Evidence: B) (101,102)
- 2 For patients with LVEF less than or equal to 35% with NYHA functional Class III or ambulatory Class IV symptoms who are receiving optimal recommended medical therapy and who have frequent dependence on ventricular pacing, CRT is reasonable. (Level of Evidence: C) (101)
Class IIb.
- 1 For patients with LVEF less than or equal to 35% with NYHA functional Class I or II symptoms who are receiving optimal recommended medical therapy undergoing implantation of a permanent pacemaker and/or ICD with anticipated frequent ventricular pacing, CRT may be considered. (Level of Evidence: C) (101)
Class III.
- 1 CRT is not indicated for asymptomatic patients with reduced LVEF in the absence of other indications for pacing. (Level of Evidence: B) (101,101a–101c)
- 2 CRT is not indicated for patients whose functional status and life expectancy are limited predominantly by chronic noncardiac conditions. (Level of Evidence: C) (101)
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