Rate adaptive pacing in people with chronic heart failure increases peak heart rate but not peak exercise capacity: a systematic review

Rate adaptive cardiac pacing (RAP) allows increased heart rate (HR) in response to metabolic demand in people with implantable electronic cardiac devices (IECD). The aim of this work was to conduct a systematic review to determine if RAP increases peak exercise capacity (peak VO(2)) in line with peak HR in people with chronic heart failure. We conducted a systematic literature search from 1980, when IECD and RAP were first introduced, until 31 July 2021. Databases searched include PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, EBSCO, and the Clinical Trials Register. A comprehensive search of the literature produced a total of 246 possible studies; of these, 14 studies were included. Studies and subsequent analyses were segregated according to comparison, specifically standard RAP (RAPON) vs fixed rate pacing (RAPOFF), and tailored RAP (TLD RAPON) vs standard RAP (RAPON). Pooled analyses were conducted for peak VO(2) and peak HR for RAPON vs RAPOFF. Peak HR significantly increased by 15 bpm with RAPON compared to RAPOFF (95%CI, 7.98–21.97, P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between pacing mode for peak VO(2) 0.45 ml kg(−1) min(−1) (95%CI, − 0.55–1.47, P = 0.38). This systematic review revealed RAP increased peak HR in people with CHF; however, there was no concomitant improvement in peak VO(2). Rather RAP may provide benefits at submaximal intensities by controlling the rise in HR to optimise cardiac output at lower workloads. HR may be an important outcome of CHF management, reflecting myocardial efficiency. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10741-022-10217-x.