LBBP as Initial Therapy in Patients With Non-ischemic Heart Failure and LBBB

Heart Failure Clinical Trial

— LIT-HF  

Official title:

Left Bundle Branch Pacing as Initial Therapy in Patients With Non-ischemic Heart Failure and Left Bundle Branch Block (LIT-HF Study)

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05572957
• Other study ID #: FirstNanjingMU004
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: October 14, 2022
• Est. completion date: June 2025

Study information

• Verified date: December 2023
• Source: The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University
• Contact: Jiangang Zou, MD,Ph.D
• Phone: 86-13605191407
• Email: jgzou[@]njmu.edu.cn
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The present study will recruit 50 symptomatic non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 35% and complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB), who have not received complete guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). Each patient was randomized to 2 groups, GDMT or left bundle branch pacing combined with GDMT (LBBP+GDMT) as initial therapy and was followed up for 2 phases: 0-6 months (phase I), 7-18 months (phase II). The primary objective is to compare the LVEF change , syncope and malignant ventricular arrhythmias between GDMT group and LBBP+GDMT group, and to observe which strategy will significantly reduce the percentage of recommendations for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) during phase I study. The second outcome measures including health economics, echocardiography parameters[left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV)], N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), quality of life score(QOL) and incidence of clinical adverse events.

Description:

Therapies currently approved to treat heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) have generally shown significant benefit on morbidity and mortality, resulting in strong recommendations in treatment guidelines. Four standard drugs classes, composed of beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ACE-I/ARB/ARNI), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), have already been standard background therapy in HFrEF. Cardiac resynchronization therapy with pacemaker/Cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillation (CRT-P/CRT-D) is an established treatment to HF patients, especially in LVEF ≤35%, sinus rhythm, CLBBB with a QRS duration (QRSd) ≥150 ms, and symptoms on 3-6 months of GDMT. Both the 2021 ESC and the 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guidelines for HF included LVEF≤35% after 3-6 months of GDMT as a strong indication for ICD implantation in non-ischemic heart disease.

The traditional biventricular pacing (BiVP) could correct the cardiac dyssynchrony to improve clinical symptoms and reduce all-cause mortality in HF. However, almost 30%-40% of patients with successful implantation show no response and BiVP just corrects the mechanical dyssynchrony caused by LBBB not corrects the LBBB. His Purkinje conduction system pacing (HPCSP) technology has made significant progress in recent five years. His bundle pacing (HBP) and left bundle branch pacing(LBBP) can correct LBBB and achieve physiological cardiac resynchronization only by ordinary single-chamber or dual-chamber pacemaker. LBBP has been reported to produce stable pacing thresholds, adequately sensed R-wave amplitude, and higher likelihood to correct LBBB by pacing more distal to the site of conduction block compared with HBP. The feasibility and efficacy of LBBP for CRT in HF patients with LBBB was demonstrated by previous observational studies showing that LBBP-CRT achieves a narrower QRSd, higher percentage of super responders, and lower pacing thresholds than BiVP-CRT. The LBBP-RESYNC study showed that LBBP-CRT demonstrated greater LVEF improvement than BiVP-CRT in HF patients with NICM and LBBB.

It remains unclear as to the following questions: 1. After 3-6 months of GDMT, what is the percentage of patients with LVEFs improvement from ≤35% to >35% in HFrEF patients with NICM and CLBBB, and what are the absolute values of the increase in LVEFs; 2. How is the long-term prognosis of those patients with LVEF increased to >35% after GDMT. Whether these patients still need an ICD/CRT-D since they do not fall within the recommendations for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD); 3. What are the differences of LVEFs changes if LBBP is added to the medical treatment at the beginning.

There are to date no randomized studies comparing GDMT and LBBP combined with GDMT (LBBP+GDMT) as the initial therapy in HFrEF patients with NICM and CLBBB. The purpose of this study is to compare the therapeutic effects of LBBP+GDMT and GDMT on LV function and clinical endpoints in such patients. The present study will randomize about 50 patients in multiple centres to LBBP+GDMT group or GDMT group.

The study is divided into two phases:

Phase I (0-6 months) : Patients are randomly assigned to either the drug therapy group (GDMT group) or the experimental group (LBBP+GDMT group). In GDMT group at 3-month follow-up, CRT-P/CRT-D will be implanted if LVEF is still ≤35% with absolute increase <5% from baseline or ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) events are recorded; otherwise, GDMT will be continued when LVEF >35% or LVEF≤35% but absolute increase >5% from baseline and no VT/VF event is observed. Patients in LBBP+GDMT group are directly treated with LBBP and GDMT after enrollment. The proportions of patients with LVEF ≤35% or VT/VF events in LBBP+GDMT group are assessed at 3-month and 6-month. The percentages of patients with LVEF ≤35% or VT/VF events in GDMT group are also assessed after 3 and 6 months as well.

Phase II (7-18 months): Patients in each group are followed up regularly (every 3-6 months, with mandatory at 12 and 18 months, with additional as appropriate) to assess the need for CRT-P/CRT-D/ICD when EF decreasing to ≤35%, syncope, or VT/VF events occurred.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Recruiting
• Enrollment: 50
• Est. completion date: June 2025
• Est. primary completion date: February 2025
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 80 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with LVEF=35% as assessed by echocardiography, NYHA class II-III, and less than 3 months of optimized (complete) GDMT*;

2. Sinus rhythm (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may be present) with complete left bundle branch block meeting STRAUSS's criteria;

3. Between the ages of 18 and 80;

4. With informed consent signed.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. After mechanical tricuspid valve replacement;

2. Ischemic cardiomyopathy;

3. Persistent AF without AV node ablation;

4. History of unexplained syncope or indications for pacemaker implantation;

5. Indications for ICD implantation such as a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia or sudden cardiac arrest;

6. Unstable angina, acute MI, CABG or PCI within the past 3 months;

7. Enrollment in any other study;

8. A life expectancy of less than 12 months;

9. Pregnant or with child-bearing potential;

10. History of heart transplantation.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Bundle-Branch Block
• Cardiomyopathies
• Heart Block
• Heart Failure
• Left Bundle-Branch Block
• Non-ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Intervention

Drug:
• Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy(GDMT)
Quadruple anti-heart failure drug therapy: BB, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, MRA, and SGLT2i. If the initial dose according to guidelines is tolerated, the protocol would then direct the uptitration of medication dose over time to a specified target dose, unless not well tolerated. *Criteria for <3 months of optimized (complete) GDMT: 1) according to the latest management of HF, any of the "new quadruple therapy" is not used if the condition allowed; Or 2) the dose of any drug dose not reach the maximum tolerated target; Or 3) under the maximum tolerated dose of BB, ivabradine is not added with a heart rate still =70 bpm at rest.

Combination Product:
• left bundle branch pacing combined with Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy(LBBP+GDMT)
GDMT is the same as Drug intervention. LBBP is confirmed when: 1) the LBBB morphology disappeared and the paced RBBB pattern (typical or atypical) is observed in V1; and 2) LVAT is =100 ms at low output(=3 V/0.5 ms); and at least 1 of the following is achieved: a) abrupt shortening of LVAT by >10 ms during mid/deep septal lead placement with a RBBB pattern in V1 at high output, which then remains short and constant at high and low output with further advancement of the lead to the final position; b) transition from nonselective to selective LBBP (QRS morphology transition from atypical RBBB to typical rsR' pattern in V1 and wide/large S-wave in V6 , with the appearance of an isoelectric segment and no LVAT change at high and low outputs); and c) transition from nonselective LBBP to LV septal pacing (lengthening of LVAT by at least 10 ms with or without obvious QRS morphology transition during threshold testing). HBP or BiVP is attempted using the standard-of-care technique.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
China	Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences	Beijing	Beijing
China	West China Hospital, Sichuan University	Chengdu	Sichuan
China	The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University	Dalian	Liaoning
China	Fujian Medical University Union Hospital	Fuzhou	Fujian
China	The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University	Nanjing	Jiangsu
China	The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University	Wenzhou	Zhejiang

Sponsors (6)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University	Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Fuwai Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, West China Hospital

Country where clinical trial is conducted

China, 

References & Publications (5)

Heidenreich PA, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, Allen LA, Byun JJ, Colvin MM, Deswal A, Drazner MH, Dunlay SM, Evers LR, Fang JC, Fedson SE, Fonarow GC, Hayek SS, Hernandez AF, Khazanie P, Kittleson MM, Lee CS, Link MS, Milano CA, Nnacheta LC, Sandhu AT, Stevenson LW, Vardeny O, Vest AR, Yancy CW. 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2022 May 3;145(18):e895-e1032. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063. Epub 2022 Apr 1. Erratum In: Circulation. 2022 May 3;145(18):e1033. Circulation. 2022 Sep 27;146(13):e185. Circulation. 2023 Apr 4;147(14):e674. — View Citation

Huang W, Su L, Wu S, Xu L, Xiao F, Zhou X, Ellenbogen KA. A Novel Pacing Strategy With Low and Stable Output: Pacing the Left Bundle Branch Immediately Beyond the Conduction Block. Can J Cardiol. 2017 Dec;33(12):1736.e1-1736.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2017.09.013. Epub 2017 Sep 22. — View Citation

McDonagh TA, Metra M, Adamo M, Gardner RS, Baumbach A, Bohm M, Burri H, Butler J, Celutkiene J, Chioncel O, Cleland JGF, Coats AJS, Crespo-Leiro MG, Farmakis D, Gilard M, Heymans S, Hoes AW, Jaarsma T, Jankowska EA, Lainscak M, Lam CSP, Lyon AR, McMurray JJV, Mebazaa A, Mindham R, Muneretto C, Francesco Piepoli M, Price S, Rosano GMC, Ruschitzka F, Kathrine Skibelund A; ESC Scientific Document Group. 2021 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure. Eur Heart J. 2021 Sep 21;42(36):3599-3726. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab368. No abstract available. Erratum In: Eur Heart J. 2021 Oct 14;: — View Citation

Upadhyay GA, Vijayaraman P, Nayak HM, Verma N, Dandamudi G, Sharma PS, Saleem M, Mandrola J, Genovese D, Oren JW, Subzposh FA, Aziz Z, Beaser A, Shatz D, Besser S, Lang RM, Trohman RG, Knight BP, Tung R; His-SYNC Investigators. On-treatment comparison between corrective His bundle pacing and biventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization: A secondary analysis of the His-SYNC Pilot Trial. Heart Rhythm. 2019 Dec;16(12):1797-1807. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2019.05.009. Epub 2019 May 13. — View Citation

Wang Y, Zhu H, Hou X, Wang Z, Zou F, Qian Z, Wei Y, Wang X, Zhang L, Li X, Liu Z, Xue S, Qin C, Zeng J, Li H, Wu H, Ma H, Ellenbogen KA, Gold MR, Fan X, Zou J; LBBP-RESYNC Investigators. Randomized Trial of Left Bundle Branch vs Biventricular Pacing for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022 Sep 27;80(13):1205-1216. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.07.019. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Proportion of patients requiring ICD implantation for prevention of sudden cardiac death(SCD)	After treatment with two strategies(GDMT, LBBP+GDMT), the percentages of LVEF still =35% and/or ventricular arrhythmia events was assessed in both groups. That is, the percentage of patients who are eligible for primary/secondary prevention ICD implantation.	6-month follow-up
Secondary	Health economics	The cost of the two treatment strategies were evaluated comprehensively, including each inpatient, outpatient and unplanned follow-up	3-month, 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month follow-up
Secondary	Changes in LVEF	LVEF is assessed by echocardiography (Simpson's rule) and compared between the baseline and follow-up.	Baseline; 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month follow-up
Secondary	Changes in LVESV	LVESV is assessed by echocardiography (Simpson's rule) and compared between the baseline and follow-up.	Baseline; 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month follow-up
Secondary	Changes in LVEDV	LVEDV is assessed by echocardiography (Simpson's rule) and compared between the baseline and follow-up.	Baseline; 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month follow-up
Secondary	Changes in concentration of NT-proBNP in blood between baseline and follow-up	Blood test is performed at each time frame to determine the concentration of NT-proBNP(unit: pg/mL)	Baseline; 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month follow-up
Secondary	Changes in New York Heart Association Heart Function Classification between baseline and follow-up	The higher the classification, the more severe the heart failure symptoms(four levels: I, II, III and IV)	Baseline; 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month follow-up
Secondary	Change in Quality Of Life Questionnaire score between baseline and follow-up	Reflect the effect of heart failure on quality of life, and higher scores represent a worse outcome	Baseline; 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month follow-up
Secondary	Incidence of clinical adverse events	Including date and number of all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, cardiovascular hospitalization and malignant ventricular arrhythmia	Baseline; 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month follow-up