Moderately accelerated pacing in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (ACTRN12625000386437)

Cardiac amyloidosis is an increasingly recognised cause of heart failure. This condition results in the heart becoming increasingly stiff and relying on an increased heart rate to maintain good heart function. Patients with pacemakers usually have their devices programmed to set their baseline heart rate at 60 beats per minute. There is growing evidence to suggest that patients with stiff hearts would have improved heart function and exercise capacity if the baseline heart rate was set closer to 75 beats per minute. This trial aims to determine if patients with cardiac amyloidosis who have a pacemaker have better heart function and quality of life if their pacemakers are set to a rate between 70 and 80 beats per minute compared to the standard 60 beats per minute.

Trial phase

Phase 3

Trial participation type

This trial has been designed for the Clinical Research of a Device.

Principal investigator

A/Prof James Hare

Key inclusion data

INCLUSION: Diagnosis of either transthyretin or light chain cardiac amyloidosis. Echocardiogram or cardiac MRI within the past 12 months demonstrating left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50%. Dual chamber pacemaker with a lower heart rate limit of ≤ 60 bpm. Heart failure symptoms with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I-III. EXCLUSION: LVEF <50%, inability to perform exercise right heart catheterization or 6 minute walk test, moderate valvular stenosis or regurgitation.