Scientific background and rationale Arterial hypertension remains the leading modifiable contributor to cardiovascular morbidity. Unlike brachial pressure, central (aortic) systolic pressure directly loads the left ventricle and cerebral and renal arteries. Epidemiological data show that central pressure is more closely associated with left-ventricular hypertrophy, carotid atherosclerosis and clinical events than peripheral pressure. Heart rate (HR) alters the timing of pulse-wave reflections and can therefore change central pressure in ways that are not apparent from arm-cuff readings.
Pharmacological HR reduction (e.g., ivabradine) has been shown to raise central systolic pressure even while lowering brachial pressure, whereas β-blockers exert mixed HR-dependent and HR-independent effects. In acute pacing studies, lowering HR from 80 bpm to \~60 bpm reduced brachial pressure but left central pressure unchanged; allowing HR to fall to \~50 bpm sometimes lowered or sometimes raised central pressure depending on study design. No prospective trial has tested whether a chronically lower versus higher pacemaker rate produces a durable difference in central hemodynamics in patients who require pacing for SSS.
Objectives Primary: Compare clinic-measured central systolic blood pressure after 8 weeks of pacing at 55 bpm versus 75 bpm.
Secondary: Compare additional central hemodynamic indices (augmentation index, pulse pressure amplification, carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity), brachial blood pressure, and frequency of pacing-related symptoms and atrial arrhythmias between the two settings.
Study design
* Single-center, randomized, single-blind, cross-over.
* Two 8-week intervention periods separated by a 2-week wash-out.
* Allocation ratio 1:1, block randomization, concealed in sequentially numbered opaque envelopes prepared by an independent statistician.
Visit schedule
T-2 (pre-screen) → T-1 (final screen + baseline PWA) → T0 (randomization) → T1 (programming of first rate) → 8 weeks → F1 (end-of-period assessments, device reset) → 2-week wash-out → T2 (second baseline) → program second rate → 8 weeks → F2 (final assessments, device returned to pre-study settings). Total participation ≈20 weeks.
Participants Inclusion
1. Age 18-80 years.
2. Dual-chamber pacemaker implanted ≥3 months for SSS.
3. Sinus rhythm; atrial pacing \>80%, ventricular pacing \<3% since last device check.
4. Medication-treated primary hypertension with clinic BP \< 140/90 mmHg and home BP \< 135/85 mmHg.
5. Able to provide informed consent and comply with procedures. Exclusion (abridged)
* Significant AV block, paced QRS ≥ 130 ms, \>3 antihypertensives, digoxin or class Ic/III/IV antiarrhythmics, frequent atrial tachyarrhythmia (\>3% AMS episodes), coronary intervention on \>1 vessel, LVEF ≤ 40%, CRT or ICD, significant valvular disease, congenital heart disease, BMI ≥ 35 kg/m², diabetes with complications or on insulin, advanced renal, hepatic or pulmonary disease, systemic inflammatory disease, malignancy under recent active therapy, pregnancy or lactation, substance misuse, or inability to complete follow-up.
Interventions Pacemaker lower-rate limit is set to either 55 bpm or 75 bpm using a Merlin™ Patient Care programmer (Abbott/St Jude Medical). All other device parameters remain unchanged unless clinically indicated. If intolerable palpitations, dizziness or dyspnoea occur, HR may be adjusted by ±5 bpm within protocol limits; the participant may continue.
Sample size and statistics The initial 20-patient cohort (2020-2022) showed a within-person SD of 5 mmHg for central systolic BP. Detecting a 3 mmHg difference with 80% power at α = 0.05 in a cross-over design requires 38 completed participants; 20 additional individuals will therefore be recruited (total = 40) to allow for 5% attrition. Analysis will follow an intention-to-treat principle.
Data collection methods
Pulse-wave analysis: SphygmoCor XCEL (AtCor Medical) brachial cuff acquisition with generalized transfer function yields central waveforms. Carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity is obtained by simultaneous carotid tonometry and femoral cuff recording with surface tape measurement of path length. Standardized seated brachial BP is averaged from triplicate readings. Home BP is logged using a validated oscillometric device. Device diagnostics supply pacing percentages and arrhythmia burden.
Safety, monitoring and ethics All procedures mirror routine pacemaker follow-up except for deliberate lower-rate reprogramming, which falls within the accepted clinical range (55-75 bpm). The prior 20-participant phase recorded two episodes of atrial fibrillation requiring treatment and no serious device malfunctions. Adverse events will be reported to the ethics committee within 15 days. The study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki, EU GDPR and ICH-GCP. Data are pseudonymised; records are stored on secure servers for 10 years, after which they are destroyed. The University of Tartu Human Research Ethics Committee has approved the protocol (initial approval 299/T-22, renewed 2025).
Dissemination Results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed cardiovascular journal, presented at international cardiology conferences.
