P6014 - The variable location of the atrioventricular conduction axis. Implications for permanent and safe His bundle pacing

Abstract

Background/Introduction The deleterious effects of long-term RV apical pacing have been well recognized. Permament His bundle (HB) pacing has emerged as a promising technique for patients who need ventricular pacing.

Purpose To describe the anatomy of the HB region and its variations for successfully approaching HB pacing in a safer and more efficient way and to understand selective vs non-selective HB pacing and to avoid permanent damage to it.

Methods In 57 structurally normal human heart specimens (48 males, 77±7 years) we examined by dissection techniques and histological sections the course of the penetrating and non-branching His bundle in relation with the membranous septum and the tricuspid valve (TV) annulus. We correlated these anatomic findings with a series of angiographic studies in 60 patients (47% males, 45±16 years old) by recording the largest His electrogram sites within the limits of the triangle of Koch (TK) and the plane of the TV.

Results The membranous septum is divided by the attachment on its right side of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve into atrioventricular (AV) and interventricular components. The AV component of the membranous septum forms the anterosuperior apex of the TK and showed in cadaveric hearts variable dimensions in length (4.6±1.5 mm, range 1–9 mm). The AV node becomes the His bundle as the AV conduction axis enters the AV component of the membranous septum and is encircled by the fibrous tissue of the central fibrous body in 100% of hearts with none of them having a “naked” entrance to it. In 30 hearts (53%) the HB penetrates the AV membranous septum at the apex of the TK at the hinge point of the septal leaflet of the TV near its commissure with the anterosuperior leaflet. However in 47% of cases the HB crossed the fibrous tissue of the central fibrous body in a lower position in the medial area of the paraseptal right atrial region of the TK with a mean distance to the AV membranous septum of 4±1.4 mm (range 1.5–8 mm) above and behind the TV annulus. These findings correlate with those obtained in patients in which the site of recording of the largest His bundle deflection does not always coincide with the anterosuperior vertex of the triangle as judged angiographically. In 51% of patients the site of the largest His bundle electrograms was found in the medial area of the triangle above (posterior-inferior) the TV annulus while in 49% of patients the His was recorded at the same level (15%) or below (anterior-inferior) the TV annulus (34% of patients) (figure).

Conclusions Knowledge of the marked variability in the location of the AV conduction bundle within the paraseptal right atrial region is crucial for approaching permanent HB pacing. An anterior-inferior and ventricular HB location could yield to restriction of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve if a lead is to be deployed in the area.