CARDIOPULMONARY EXERCISE CAPACITY IN PATI ENTS WITH HIGH-GRADE AV-BLOCK AND WI-MODE PACEMAKER STIMULATION

VVI-pacemaker patients with high-grade atrioventricular block were sub jected to cardiopulmonary exercise testing. An interindividual compari son was made between patients with intermittent intrinsic rhythm (n = 9) and patients with permanent VVI-stimulation (n = 15). Patients with intermittent sinus rhythm on exercise had no significant increase in exercise capacity as quantified by the O-2-uptake at the anaerobic thr eshold. An intermittent sinus rhythm is of no relevance to therapeutic decisions, such as choosing the appropriate pacing mode. Exercise cap acity is determined by multiple, partly peripheral factors.