Effect of permanent cardiac pacing on brain natriuretic peptide and the intervention of benazepril

AIM: To investigate the effect of different pacing modes and different cardioventricular pacing percentage on the plasma concentration of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the intervention of benazepril in the pacemaker population. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients ［ventricular inhibited (VVI) 62, dual-mode, dual-pacing, dual-sensing (DDD) 58］ implanted with permanent cardiac pacing from January 2006 to October 2007 in our hospital were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomized to two groups according to whether or not they were taking benazepril. Each group was subdivided into DDD group and VVI group. Plasma concentrations of BNP were recorded before pacing and 6 months after pacing. RESULTS: Plasma concentration of BNP in VVI pacing was higher than in DDD pacing (P<0.05). Plasma concentration of BNP in high cardioventricular pacing percentage was higher than in low cardioventricular pacing percentage (P<0.05). Plasma concentration of BNP in patients who were taking benazepril were significantly lower than in patients who did not take benazepril (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Plasma concentration of BNP increases after pacing and increases with the cardioventricular pacing percentage. DDD pacing is superior to VVI pacing. Benazepril can delay the increase of BNP in patients with permanent cardiac pacing.