As potential biomarkers of pressure-related aortic damage, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm because of the important role they play in connective tissue homeostasis. In particular, a significant reduction in initially elevated serum MMP - 9 concentrations, compared with healthy controls, demonstrated after the aortic repair in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm implies MMPs pivotal role in aortic aneurysms. Besides, due to an active degradation and repair processes taking place in the vascular wall governed by the balance between MMP enzymes and their inhibitors, MMP - 9, expression of which is predominantly associated with disruption of aortic elastic fibers, can also be detected in the serum of healthy subjects. Indeed, mechanical stress-induced upregulation of genes and their products stimulate MMP expression in the vascular wall, which is responsible for extracellular matrix degradation. Herein, it was hypothesized that reducing the acceleration rate of aortic pressure (aortic peak dP/dt) may decrease the mechanical stretch on the aortic wall which, may in turn, reduce the expression and serum levels of MMP-9.

The maximum value of acceleration rate of aortic pressure rise can be named as aortic peak dP/dt. It, likewise, corresponds to the maximum value of first derivative of aortic pressure curve with respect to time.Notably, aortic peak dP/dt would be one of the principal determinants of mechanical stress applied to the aortic wall. Hence, interventions aiming to reduce aortic peak dP/dt levels may open a new therapeutic avenue in the management of pressure-related vascular damages such as aortic aneurisms.

Since it is the principle determining factor of aortic peak dP/dt, changing LV contractility, thereby LV peak dP/dt, may be expected to lead to change aortic peak dP/dt values in the same direction. Therefore, reduction of LV dP/dt can lead to a reduction in aortic dP/dt. Previous finding strongly suggest that widening of the QRS complex could decrease LV contractility and correspondingly LV peak dP/dt value which may eventually lead to a reduction in aortic peak dP/dt.

From biomechanical point of view, as potential biomarkers of pressure-related aortic damage, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm because of the important role they play in connective tissue homeostasis. In particular, a significant reduction in initially elevated serum MMP - 9 concentrations, compared with healthy controls, demonstrated after the aortic repair in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm implies MMPs pivotal role in aortic aneurysms. Besides, due to an active degradation and repair processes taking place in the vascular wall governed by the balance between MMP enzymes and their inhibitors, MMP - 9, expression of which is predominantly associated with disruption of aortic elastic fibers, can also be detected in the serum of healthy subjects. Indeed, mechanical stress-induced upregulation of genes and their products stimulate MMP expression in the vascular wall, which is responsible for extracellular matrix degradation. Herein, we hypothesized that reducing the acceleration rate of aortic pressure (aortic peak dP/dt) may decrease the mechanical stretch on the aortic wall which, may in turn, reduce the expression and serum levels of MMP-9.

To this end, in the current trial, effect of the prolongation of QRS duration over a certain period of time by short AVD permanent pacing on the circulating levels of a vascular extracellular matrix degradation marker, MMP-9, was examined.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Normal LV systolic function (EF>50%),
• Healthy conduction systems
• Noncritical coronary stenoses or normal coronary arteries
• Ventricular pacing rate <10% in the last 6 months detected at the interrogation of the pacemakers

Exclusion Criteria:

• Intra-ventricular conduction abnormalities (baseline QRS >100 msec.),
• Mild to moderate aortic or mitral valve disease
• Presence of atrial fibrillation
• LV systolic dysfunction