Evaluation of ventricular pacing suppression algorithms in dual chamber pacemaker: Results of “LEADER” study

Background: There is limited research on the intra-individual efficacy of ventricular pacing minimization algorithms developed by Biotronik—the Ventricular Pace Suppression algorithm (VpS) and the Intrinsic Rhythm Support plus algorithm (IRSplus) (BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG, Berlin, Germany). We performed a randomized pilot trial that evaluated the efficacy of two algorithms in patients with symptomatic sinus node dysfunction (SND) who received a dual-chamber pacemaker. Methods: The trial was conducted in 11 tertiary hospitals in South Korea. The patients were randomized to either the VpS or IRSplus algorithm group after a 3-month period of fixed atrioventricular (AV) delay. The primary outcome was the ventricular pacing percentage (Vp%) at each follow-up visit. The secondary outcomes were the occurrence of heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) during the study period. Results: Data from 131 patients were analyzed. Initially, their average Vp% over 3 months with a fixed AV interval was 14.1 ± 19.4%. Patients were randomly assigned to VpS and IRSplus groups, with 66 and 65 in each. Algorithms reduced average Vp% to 4.0 ± 11.3% at 9 months and 6.7 ± 14.9% at 15 months. These algorithms were more effective for patients with paced AV delay (PAVD) ≤300 ms compared to those with PAVD >300 ms. Both algorithms were equally effective in reducing Vp%. Clinical AF or HF hospitalization was not observed during the study period. Conclusion: The VpS and IRSplus algorithms are effective and safe in minimizing unnecessary ventricular pacing in patients with SND.