A Study Comparing Standard Right Ventricular Pacing with New Physiological Pacing Methods for Treating Slow Heart Rates

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating two different pacing methods for patients with slow heart rates, called bradycardia. This study compares the common right ventricular pacing approach with a newer physiological pacing method that includes His bundle and left bundle area pacing. The trial aims to better understand how these pacing techniques affect patient outcomes, including mortality and heart failure morbidity, in a large group of 2600 patients. Participants will receive a pacemaker implant and be randomly assigned to either right ventricular pacing or physiological pacing. The physiological pacing may involve His bundle pacing or left bundle pacing, but if these are not successful, biventricular pacing will be used. A subgroup of 500 participants will take part in an optional echocardiographic sub-study to assess heart function changes over a 24-month period. Throughout the study, patients will be assessed at baseline and every six months after randomization, with follow-up lasting up to 78 months. Researchers will monitor outcomes such as mortality, heart failure events, device-related safety issues, patient quality of life, symptoms, and pacemaker-derived data like arrhythmias and activity levels. The echocardiographic sub-study will measure specific heart function changes to understand pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. Participants involvement includes implantation, regular follow-up visits, questionnaires, and optional imaging assessments.

"Physiological vs Right Ventricular Pacing Outcome Trial Evaluated for bradyCardia Treatment" (PROTECT-HF)