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The aim of this study is to achieve a comparative analysis of the cow livestock number, production of milk and of main dairy products in Romania and European Union. The work is an extensive bibliographic documentation with the application of statistical tests for the period 2017-2021. At European Union level the herd of dairy cows is in decreasing with 5.63% and in Romania with 7.95%, from 1175.4 thousand heads in 2017 to 1081.9 thousand heads in 2021. The largest amount of raw milk available on the farm in 2021 belongs to Germany which records 32531.56 thousand tons, approx. 21% of the total quantity at EU level. In 2021 compared with 2017, the Europeans consumed with 3.91% less fresh dairy products and with approx. 5% more cheese. In the future, will be exploit more productive animals, making cow rearing a part of solutions in food crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global beef industry has been growing steadily in recent years due to the fact that the largest beef exporters and importers in beef producing countries continue to invest financially in the global market. Beef, one of the most important products in the world livestock market, is often recognized as a premium source of protein in the human diet, therefore it is widely consumed in most countries around the world. In 2020, at the national level, the number of cattle slaughtered in industrial units (slaughterhouses) decreased by 15.6% compared to the previous year. Also, the beef production decreased from 196,000 tons in 2017 to 173,000 tons in 2020, even though the slaughter yield has increased. There are about 1 billion beef cattle worldwide, and compared to poultry and pigs, beef cattle have the lowest feed-to-meat conversion efficiency. Strategies to improve beef cattle performance emphasize operational and reproductive management, host genetics, functional efficiency of the rumen and respiratory microbiome, and forage structure and composition. There have also to consider the herd health and immunity and the need for beef cattle to thrive in a changing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to highlight the productive performance of the Pinzgau breed exploited in the Dornelor Basin, Suceava County. In this sense, a herd of 12 head of cattle, belonging to the Pinzgau breed, was studied, both the red variety and the black variety, which were followed by the productive performances at the ascendancy and descent of the nucleus from the farm. Also, the parameters regarding the quality of milk obtained from the studied cattle were analyzed. The ancestry of the studied herd is valuable with productions in the mother (M) of 5496 kg of milk, 4.22% fat and 3.39% protein, in the mother of the father (MT) of 5562 kg of milk, with 4.095% fat and 3.45% protein, and in the mother's mother (MM) of 5613 kg milk with 4.21% fat and 3.49% protein. The milk production in the offspring had an increasing evolution as follows: on total lactation 5922 Kg milk in lactation I and 6474 Kg milk in lactation II, and on normal lactation of 4820 Kg milk in lactation I and 4843 Kg milk in lactation II with average values of 4.26% fat and 3.24% protein in lactation I respectively 3.91% fat and 3.29% protein in lactation II. Regarding the quality of the milk, it had an average value of 86,000 thousand / ml milk in the total number of somatic cells (NCS) which shows us a quality milking, in hygienic conditions, respectively keeping the milk after milking in hygienic conditions, which shows the farmer's care for the cattle on the farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this scientific paper, the productive performances of beef cattle belonging to the Aberdeen Angus and Charolaise breeds from 6 farms in Neamț County were analyzed, studying the following indicators: birth weight (kg), body weight (kg), and average daily gain (g) at the age of 200 days (kg), and also 365 days (kg). The data on average values and variability of meat production indices show that the highest performances were 42.33 kg at birth, 246.29 kg and the average daily increase of 1030.71 grams per 200 days, and 433.69 kg with the average daily increase of 1074.33 kg, at the age of 365 days. On the last place was farm 1, which registered an average weight at birth of 30.70 kg, at 200 days this indicator was 188.59 kg, and the average daily gain was 786.20 grams; at 365 days the average weight was 320.84 kg and the average weight was 793.11 kg. Farm 1 raises the Aberdeen Angus breed, and farm 5 raises the Charolaise breed, which has better results due to the constant care of the breeder to improve the genetic material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the productive performances of the ascendants and descendants of the cows' herd belonging to the 4 basic breeds were analyzed, as follows: Holstein, Băl?ată cu negru românească (Romanian Black Spotted), Băl?ată românească (Romanian Spotted), and Brună de Maramure? (Maramures Bown), from 7 farms of Neam? county, which were encoded with numbers from 1 to 7. For the analysis of the ascendants' performances - mother (M), paternal grandmother (MT), and maternal grandmother (MM) - and of the offspring' performance, 3 indicators were determined regarding the milk production: the quantity per normal lactation (kg), the percent of fat, and the percent of protein. It was found that the best milk production in normal lactation of offspring was recorded in farm 2 (6161.25 kg), where a mixed herd of Holstein and Băl?ată cu negru românească breeds is raised. If we compare the phenotypic performances of the ascendants (mother of mother - MM), which realized an average milk production of 7205.44 kg, with the father's mother (MT) of 11.931 kg, and the mother's mother (MM) of 7949.83 kg we confirm that the phenotypic performance for the milk production in the offspring does not reach the level of those obtained by ancestry. This fact is due to management deficiency regarding the external factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is weel known that in order to increase progress on cattle farms it is necessary to monitor animals in order to determinate the genetic quality of animals, by assessing the quantitative and qualitative characters of the animals, estimating breeding values and setting up a database on these aspects. In our country, as a result of favorable factors, such as natural pasture potential, European subsidies, government programs for the purchasing animals, extensiveintensive growth technology systems, the price of bovine meat, population trends towards the consumption of meat obtained in ecological conditions, in Romania were imported a series of specialized breeds for meat production, including Aberdeen Angus, Galloway, Highland, Aubrac, Charolais, Limousin. Thus, in order to expand the database and monitoring the qualitative and quantitative characters of the animals, specific breeding programs to each breed were developed. Regarding the Aberdeen Angus breed, the genealogical register is held by the Aberdeen Angus Association from Sibiu county, which also leads the activity of official performances control on national level. Recordings are made in accordance with legislative framework, in herds of pure breed Aberdeen Angus cattle and also cross-breeding programs with Aberdeen Angus terminal bulls. The control purpose is to record the weights of calves between three and fourteen months old, observing the specific characters of Aberdeen Angus breed and managing all purebred bulls. Data is collected in order to provide farmers with information useful for herd management and raw data for genetic evaluations. Generally, in this paperwork it will be studied the legislative framework, the control technique, the control methods, the national evolution of performances, the stock evolution and the appreciation of the bulls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the quality of milk production was analyzed in dairy cattle herds from 7 farms in Neamț County. For this, data from accredited associations were used to perform their own performance control (CPP), respectively the Association of Animal Breeders "Operator IA" Neamț, the Association of Cattle Breeders from Mureș County, as well as the date from the Genealogical Register. The quality of milk was assessed according to the seven specific indicators, as follows: somatic cell number (NCS), fat percentage (G%), protein percentage (P%), lactose proportion (L%), proportion of urea (U%), proportion of casein (C%) and the pH of the milk.The average daily milk production produced by the cows on these farms was also calculated (kg/head/day). The breeds raised on these farms are:Bălțată cu Negru Românească (BNR), Holstein, Brună de Maramureș and Bălțată Românească (BR). The best results of milk quality were obtained in Brună de Maramureș cows from farm 5 or Secuieni Neamț Agricultural Research and Development Station, the average values of the specific indicators on milk quality were as follows: NCS thousand / ml - 157.64, fat (%) -4.64, protein (%) - 3.73, lactose (%) -4.84, urea (%)-23.37casein (%) -28.78, pH - 6.60. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results obtained with reference to: average age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), service period (SP) and mammary repose (RM). They were studied 3 farms with populations of cows of the breeds: Holstein and Spotted with Romanian Black (BNR). The studied reproduction indicators recorded the following average values: in the farm "Î.I. Dascălu Sînzîiana", in the Holstein breed, AFC - was 31.03 months, SP - 89.24 days, RM - 55.82 days and CI - 458.27 days, in the farm "Nacu Gheorghe" in the Holstein breed, AFC- was 25.72 months, SP - 87.96 days, RM - 57.58 days and CI - 459.51 days, and in the Spotted Romanian Black breed, AFC - was 27.54 months, SP - 97.22 days, RM - 56.92 days and CI - 401.64 days. The best results regarding the breeding activity were obtained in the farm "Î.I. Râtan Gheorghe", in Spotted with Romanian Black cattle, where AFC - was 27.52 months, SP - 80.04 days, RM -59.43 days, and CI - 393 days. From the analysis of the obtained data, it is revealed the need to reduce the service period, in the farms "Î.I Dascălu Sînzîiana" and "Nacu Gheorghe", at the optimal level of 80 days, because it is the only way to improve the reproduction indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podolian cattle breeds are represented by: Romanian Grey Steppe, Iskar Grey (Bulgarian Grey), Istrian, Katerini, Ukrainian Grey and Hungarian Grey. The mitochondrial genome in cattle has a length of about 16,338 nucleotides. The majority of taurine mtDNA sequences cluster within macro-haplogroup T, which consists of six subhaplogroups (T, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5). Recent developments in DNA sequencing technologies provide new opportunities for the examination of genetic material in extinct or endangered species, providing a new perspective on their evolutionary history. This paper has as main purpose the analysis of the mitochondrial genome in podolian cattle breeds by consulting the most relevant research in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we analyzed the milk production indices, for normal lactation (305 days), on the first two lactations of Spotted Romanian cattle breed in two farms in Neamț County. To aim this, we used data from the Association of Cattle Breeders from Mureș County accredited for performing our own performance control (CPP) as well as data from the Genealogical Register. For the analysis of the productive performances, statistical processing of the primary data regarding the average value and the variability of the milk production indices for 4 characters was carried out, as follows: length of normal lactation (days), quantity of milk per normal lactation (kg), percentage of fat, and percentage of milk protein. The studied farms were coded with Arabic numerals: darm 1- I.I Ciucalău Aurelia Vasilica, and farm 2 - P.F.A. Pintea Ionela. The best productive performances were registered in farm 1, where the average milk production for the first lactation was 5967.80 kg, the average value of the fat percent was 4.08%, and the average value of the protein percent was 3.26%. At the second lactation, the average milk production was 5012.89 kg, the average value of the fat percent was 4.05%, and the average value of the protein percent was 3.31%. In the first lactation the average milk production per normal lactation was 5967.80 kg, but it decreased in the second lactation to 5012.89 kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to present the situation of animal husbandry activity in the counties with mountain area in Romania, in 2019, in relation to the activity of milk collection and processing in the 27 counties with mountain area. This paper is based on statistical data provided by the National Sanitary-Veterinary and Food Safety Authority, the National Institute of Statistics and the National Agency for Mountain Area (ANZM). These data were statistically processed within the National Agency for Mountain Area in the following indicators: number of counties with mountain area, number of administrative-territorial units in the mountain area, total area of the mountain area (km²), number of animals in the mountain area (cattle, sheep, goats) in 2019, the total area of permanent meadows in the mountain area (ha), number of milk collection centers in the counties with mountain area, number of milk processing units in the counties with mountain area. The statistically processed data show that in counties with large herds of animals there are milk processing centers and units compared to counties with small herds of animals that do not have centers and units of milk processing or are few. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our country in recent years we can see a decrease in cattle from 2330 thousand heads in 2018, to 1914 thousand heads in 2020, a decrease due to, among others, the faulty organization of breeders in order to capitalize on the production obtained and a structure low size of cattle farms. In 2020, the number of cattle slaughtered in industrial units (slaughterhouses) decreased compared to the previous year by 15.6%, beef production decreased from 196,000 tons in 2018 to 170,000 tons in 2020, even if the yield at slaughter has increased. Thus, there is an increase in the average body weight of cattle from 433 kg/head to 450 kg/head, this is due to advanced, cost-effective breeding technologies and optimal animal nutrition. All this influences, of course, the quality of the meat, which will be superior and will have a high yield for processing. Meat consumption in Romania is 7 kg per capita per year, the demand for beef increases significantly in Romania, being a large deficit of high quality animal protein, the Romanian unfortunately preferring pork and chicken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to present the situation of the mountain area in Romania between 2017 and 2019. This paper is based on statistical data provided by the National Sanitary-Veterinary Authority and for Food Safety and also by the National Institute of Statistics. These were processed within the National Agency of the Mountain Area in the following indicators: number of counties with mountain area, number of Administrative-Territorial Units in the mountain area, number of inhabitants in the mountain area, total area of the mountain area (km2), area of pastures and meadows in the mountain area (ha), the number of animals in the mountain area (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs). Compared with 2017, the number of animals, in 2019, registered significant decreases, which leads to negative effects on maintenance of permanent grassland areas in the mountain area, milk and meat production from animals, milk processing activities, respectively meat and, implicitly, reduced possibilities of developing farms in the mountain area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to present the evolution of cattle numbers and production obtained in Neam? County during between 2010-2018. In carrying out this work, we have used statistical data provided by the Directorate for Agriculture and Rural Development, the County Animal Husbandry Office and the Association of Animal Breeders "Operator A.I.". The analysis was carried out within two forms of property: population households and companies and private associations. The following were found: the population households registered a decrease in the number of cattle (ca. 15%) and in the average milk production (ca. 20%), while the companies and private associations had an increase in the cattle population by 44.4% and in the average milk production by 21%. With regard to meat production, the average weight for slaughter increased from 339 kg/head in 2010 to 451 kg/head in 2018, the share being 33.12%. The study found an improvement of the main indicators (cattle number and production) only in the holdings that have at least 40-50 heads compared to the holdings with 1-2 heads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aimed to assess the improvement of beef production using industrial crossbreeding. The research was conducted on 101 individuals allotted in four groups, L1-Romanian Spotted cattle (RS) - control 1; L2 Limousine (L) x Romanian Spotted cattle; L3-Romania Black and White cattle (RBW) - control 2 and L4-Limousine x Romanian Black and White cattle. Body development of half-bloods from experimental groups was higher than the maternal breeds, showing pronounced aptitudes for beef production, especially in L x RS cross, which performed a body weight by 18 months old of 689.37 kg (+14.36% compared to maternal breed). An obvious improvement of beef yield was registered also in L x RBW group (603.13 kg live weight at 18 months old, +15.38% vs. the maternal breed). BS x L half-bloods had an average daily gain above 975 g, fitting into the beef morphological type. In the study, we found a good ability of body development for half-bloods and a pronounced heterosis effect compared to maternal races. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reveals original findings in agrobiodiversity, as part of the global biodiversity puzzle. The Grey Steppe cattle are endangered to extinction and are part of a genetic preservation program in Romania. The research approached the productive performance, the genetic determinism of milk production traits, studied on a Grey Steppe breed population nucleus of 30 individuals, throughout 4 productive cycles. The average milk yield in all 4 consecutive lactations reached 1858 kg per capita, while total lipids and proteins reached 4.41% and 3.56%. Recalculated for Maturity Equivalent, the production summed up 2197 kg milk (4.36% fat, 3.52% proteins). The electrophoresis profiling revealed 6 loci codifying the major proteins in milk: alpha-casein S1 (αS1-cz), beta-casein (β-cz), kappa-casein (K-cz), beta-lactoglobulin (β-lg), alpha-lactoglobulin (α-la) and alpha-casein S2 (αS2-cz). Apart from these, we identified a new allele in heterozygote state in two individuals of the studied population and we coded it αS1-CN IRV. The main lactoprotein is the kappa-casein (K-cz), identified with high heritability in the studied population (h² = 0.57 %), while the αS1 casein (αS1-cz) had intermediate capacity of transmittance across generations (h² = 0.29%). The Grey Steppe breed represents a valuable gene pool due to its high capacity of adaptation to local conditions, to its versatileness in using lower quality feed than other specialized breeds, as well as to its reproductive robustness and to its potential in bearing ancestral, undiscovered genes coding beneficial lactoprotein species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of the work was to make a comparative research on the feeding of calves. The research was conducted in dairy farm Agroserv Mairut, Ialomita county. The farm has more then 1000 dairy cows that produce 35 litres per day. All there production is register in a program that help employees to manage all dairy process. The animals in the experiment belong to the Holstein breed. It was selected 30 animals and was formed two experimental groups (each group with 15 animals). The first group received a classic feeding scheme, and group 2 a scheme based on super-intensive feeding. From the statistical analysis it was observed that between groups the differences are significant, respectively 15 kg live weight.Monitoring of body weight is very important because the introduction theyoung females of reproduction is done at 70-75% of the average weight of the breed at the age of adult. On the other hand, early introduction to reproduction reduces the non-productive period of the animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sura de Stepa breed, which is on the verge of extinction, has been included in a preservation programme for animal genetic resources (H.G. nr. 822/2008), being raised in a reduced nucleus at S.C.D.C.B. - Dancu, Iasi. Researches were carried out on a number of 30 Sura de Stepa cows, focused on: milk production indicators by successive lactations, genetic determinism at the studied characters and at main lacto-proteins systems, the improvement value of breeding. The quantity of milk per normal lactation at Sura de Stepa population from S.C.D.C.B. - Dancu Iasi, has an upward evolution from 1589.64 kg in the first lactation to 2535.43 kg in the fifth lactation which is also the maximum one. First lactation represents 62.69% from maximum lactation, a value which highlighting the tardiness of Sura de Stepa breed in terms of milk production. Heritability analysis of the studied indicators show medium values for the quantity of milk and fat respectively a hereditary influence greater than h2 = 0.71% for percentage of milk fat and h2 = 0.57% for kappa-casein (K-cz) from milk. Lacto-proteins systems, beta-lacto globulin (β-lg), betacasein (β-cz), alpha-casein S1 (αS1-cz), have a low to intermediate heritability (0.19 to 0.29%) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research was carried out on a number of 30 Sură de Stepă cows raised in semi-intensive stalling at S.C.D.C.B. - Dancu, Iasi. On this nucleus we studied the main lacto-proteins systems and the correlations with milk production indicators. At Sura de Stepă breed were identified alleles for the six loci codifying the six types of major milk proteins (α S1-cz; β-cz; K-cz; β-lg; α-la; α S2-cz). In the system αS1-cz allele αs1-Cn B has the greatest frequency (0.700), in the system β-cz allele α-Cn A2 (0.550), in the system K-cz allele k-CnA2 (0.583) and heterozygous genotype AB (0.416) respectively BB (0.375), in the system β-lg allele β-lgA1 has the greatest frequency (0.542) and heterozygous genotype AB (0.500), in the system α-la could be found a mono-morphism for allele α-la B and similar in the system αS2-cz for allele αs2-Cn A. Kappa-casein (K-cz) is positive and strongly correlated with fat % respectively protein % (rp = 0.58-0.77, rg = 0.67-0.83, rm = 0.64-0.87). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources was the subject of United Nation Convention from Rio de Janeiro since 1992 and International Treaty regarding phytogenetical resources for food and agriculture, in Romama, the conservation of genetic fund is scientifically accepted and applied somewhat in 1960 but at the time it has a legislative support Survey carries out on 33 cows were followed: milk yield indices per successive lactation body development indices at adult animals; intrapopulation genetic structure; genetic parameters. For estimating the genetic parameters has been used REML (Restricted Maximum Likelihood) method. From the productive point of view, milk yield ranges between 1493.36 kg and 2499.14 kg with variability over 28%. The average value for the size was 122.27 cm and body weight was 575.59 kg. Different studies shows average value for milk yield of 1624 kg for a mean of 216.54 days in 1947 at "AntonPaul"-llfov farm, 2172 kg in 1959 and 2310 kg in 196O, 1976 kg in 1963 at G. A. S Laza Vaslui, 1244 kg in 1961 at G.A.C "8 Mai" Săveni, Feteşti. The heritability coefficient (h²) has average value between 0.30-0.34 for the fat and milk quantity, and in case of fat percentage it may notice a strong genetic determinism. The studied population represents a valuable genetic fund, which must be preserved and ameliorated in the way of mixed production meat-milk and developed numerically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Often, for the sows's artificial seeding, literature recommends the use of a 3-5 billion mobile sperm / dose. This number is high compared with other species and is determined by the particularities of the uterus. With various techniques has tried to reduce the number of sperm \ dose without sowing depreciate results. Intrauterine insemination consists in semen laying in the uterine horn base, using a special catheter, simple and easy to handle. Avoiding the first obstacle for the spermatozoons, cervix, the method allow the spermatozoons number (insemination dose) decrease, without sow reproduction performance depreciation. Biological material was represented by Camborough primiparous and multiparous sows distributed in tow batches: · control batch (CB) -usual inseminated sows with 4 billions/dose mobile spermatozoons; · experimental batch (EB)-intrauterine inseminated sows, with 2 billions/dose mobile spermatozoons. Semen was diluted with diluent Merck III. Each sow was inseminated twice on heat cycle. Intrauterine inseminations lead to fecundity increasing (by 6,9%). Differences between groups were semnifictive (p <0.001). In both groups, the fecundity was lowest in summer season compared to others. Prolificity increase too (0,24 piglets/sow). Differences were not significant (p <0.05). Number of piglets wean was near regardless of insemination technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since the introduction of the dual chamber pacemaker (DDDR) in the early 1980s, researchers have repeatedly discussed and attempted to optimize the atrioventricular (AV) interval, in order to increase the cardiac performance of pacemaker patients. Nominal AV delay in a DDDR is not, by hemodynamics, the best option for the majority of patients with AV conduction disorders. Our research is suggesting a simplified approach to define an optimal AV delay in a DDDR pacemaker population on the use of the programming electrocardiogram (ECG) at follow-up. Methods: The study enrolled 55 consecutive patients (67.28 ± 1.03 years, 36 male) with an initial dual chamber pacemaker implanted for complete and second degree AV block between 2005-2010. Optimal AV delay was achieved by programming an additional delay of 95 ms, to the medium value of the interval between atrial pacing spike to the end of P wave or to the width of intrinsic P wave, on the ECG of the programming device. At discharge, shortly after the implant procedure, the patients were examined by Doppler echocardiography, during nominal and optimal AV delay pacing measuring systolic and diastolic left ventricular function parameters. Results: Compared with the nominal AV delay settings, the left ventricular end diastolic volume did not changed (from 112.3 ± 2.3 ml to 112.9 ± 2.3 ml), the end systolic volume decreased (from 59.8 ± 1.7 ml to 50.9 ± 1.3 ml, p<0.01) after adjusted the AV delay, followed by an increased left ventricle ejection fraction (from 61.07 ± 0.18 % to 65.46 ± 0.13 %, p<0.001) and isovolumic relaxation time decreased (from 102.7 ± 1.9 ms to 97 ± 2 ms, p<0.05). E wave velocity, A wave velocity and E/A ratio were not significantly changed. Conclusion: AV delay adjusted by programmer ECG in a follow-up session of an implantable device is a simple and useful method used in our laboratory as a resource for ventricular pacing optimization and hemodynamic improvement in patients with a dual chamber pacemaker (DDDR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since the introduction of the dual chamber pacemaker (DDDR) in the early 1980s, researchers have repeatedly discussed and attempted to optimize the atrioventricular (AV) interval, in order to increase the cardiac performance of pacemaker patients. Nominal AV delay in a DDDR is not, by hemodynamics, the best option for the majority of patients with AV conduction disorders. Our research is suggesting a simplified approach to define an optimal AV delay in a DDDR pacemaker population on the use of the programming electrocardiogram (ECG) at follow-up. Methods: The study enrolled 55 consecutive patients (67.28 ± 1.03 years, 36 male) with an initial dual chamber pacemaker implanted for complete and second degree AV block between 2005-2010. Optimal AV delay was achieved by programming an additional delay of 95 ms, to the medium value of the interval between atrial pacing spike to the end of P wave or to the width of intrinsic P wave, on the ECG of the programming device. At discharge, shortly after the implant procedure, the patients were examined by Doppler echocardiography, during nominal and optimal AV delay pacing measuring systolic and diastolic left ventricular function parameters. Results: Compared with the nominal AV delay settings, the left ventricular end diastolic volume did not changed (from 112.3 ± 2.3 ml to 112.9 ± 2.3 ml), the end systolic volume decreased (from 59.8 ± 1.7 ml to 50.9 ± 1.3 ml, p<0.01) after adjusted the AV delay, followed by an increased left ventricle ejection fraction (from 61.07 ± 0.18 % to 65.46 ± 0.13 %, p<0.001) and isovolumic relaxation time decreased (from 102.7 ± 1.9 ms to 97 ± 2 ms, p<0.05). E wave velocity, A wave velocity and E/A ratio were not significantly changed. Conclusion: AV delay adjusted by programmer ECG in a follow-up session of an implantable device is a simple and useful method used in our laboratory as a resource for ventricular pacing optimization and hemodynamic improvement in patients with a dual chamber pacemaker (DDDR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since the introduction of the dual chamber pacemaker (DDDR) in the early 1980s, researchers have repeatedly discussed and attempted to optimize the atrioventricular (AV) interval, in order to increase the cardiac performance of pacemaker patients. Nominal AV delay in a DDDR is not, by hemodynamics, the best option for the majority of patients with AV conduction disorders. Our research is suggesting a simplified approach to define an optimal AV delay in a DDDR pacemaker population on the use of the programming electrocardiogram (ECG) at follow-up., Methods: The study enrolled 55 consecutive patients (67.28 ± 1.03 years, 36 male) with an initial dual chamber pacemaker implanted for complete and second degree AV block between 2005-2010. Optimal AV delay was achieved by programming an additional delay of 95 ms, to the medium value of the interval between atrial pacing spike to the end of P wave or to the width of intrinsic P wave, on the ECG of the programming device. At discharge, shortly after the implant procedure, the patients were examined by Doppler echocardiography, during nominal and optimal AV delay pacing measuring systolic and diastolic left ventricular function parameters., Results: Compared with the nominal AV delay settings, the left ventricular end diastolic volume did not changed (from 112.3 ± 2.3 ml to 112.9 ± 2.3 ml), the end systolic volume decreased (from 59.8 ± 1.7 ml to 50.9 ± 1.3 ml, p<0.01) after adjusted the AV delay, followed by an increased left ventricle ejection fraction (from 61.07 ± 0.18 % to 65.46 ± 0.13 %, p<0.001) and isovolumic relaxation time decreased (from 102.7 ± 1.9 ms to 97 ± 2 ms, p<0.05). E wave velocity, A wave velocity and E/A ratio were not significantly changed., Conclusion: AV delay adjusted by programmer ECG in a follow-up session of an implantable device is a simple and useful method used in our laboratory as a resource for ventricular pacing optimization and hemodynamic improvement in patients with a dual chamber pacemaker (DDDR).