Antonis S Manolis1, Spyridon Koulouris2, Dimitris Tsiachris3. 1. Third Department of Cardiology, Athens University School of Medicine, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: asm@otenet.gr. 2. Department of Cardiology, Evagelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece. 3. Athens Heart Center, Athens Medical Center, Athens, Greece.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device implantation is hampered by difficult placement of the left ventricular (LV) lead. We have routinely used a steerable electrophysiology catheter to guide coronary sinus (CS) cannulation and facilitate LV lead positioning. The aim of this prospective study is to present our results with this approach in 138 consecutive patients receiving a CRT device over 10 years. METHODS: The study included 120 men and 18 women, aged 64.8±11.4 years, with coronary disease (n=63), cardiomyopathy (n=72), or other disease (n=3), and mean ejection fraction of 24.5±4.5%. Devices were implanted for refractory heart failure and dyssynchrony, all but 2 in the presence of left bundle branch block. Implanted devices included biventricular pacemakers (CRT-P) (n=33) and cardioverter defibrillators (CRT-D) (n=105). RESULTS: Using the electrophysiology catheter, the CS could be engaged in 134 (97.1%) patients. In 4 patients failing CS cannulation, a dual-chamber device was implanted in 2, and bifocal right ventricular pacing was effected in 2. Bifocal (n=2) or conventional (n=1) systems were implanted in another 3 patients, in whom the LV lead got dislodged (n=2) or removed because of local dissection (n=1). Thus, finally, a CRT system was successfully established in 131 (94.9%) patients. There were 3 patients with CS dissection, of whom 1 was complicated by cardiac tamponade managed with pericardiocentesis. There were no perioperative deaths. During follow-up (31.0±21.2 months), clinical improvement was reported by 108 (82.4%) patients. CONCLUSION: Routine use of an electrophysiology catheter greatly facilitated CS cannulation and successful LV lead placement in ∼95% of patients undergoing CRT system implantation.
BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device implantation is hampered by difficult placement of the left ventricular (LV) lead. We have routinely used a steerable electrophysiology catheter to guide coronary sinus (CS) cannulation and facilitate LV lead positioning. The aim of this prospective study is to present our results with this approach in 138 consecutive patients receiving a CRT device over 10 years. METHODS: The study included 120 men and 18 women, aged 64.8±11.4 years, with coronary disease (n=63), cardiomyopathy (n=72), or other disease (n=3), and mean ejection fraction of 24.5±4.5%. Devices were implanted for refractory heart failure and dyssynchrony, all but 2 in the presence of left bundle branch block. Implanted devices included biventricular pacemakers (CRT-P) (n=33) and cardioverter defibrillators (CRT-D) (n=105). RESULTS: Using the electrophysiology catheter, the CS could be engaged in 134 (97.1%) patients. In 4 patients failing CS cannulation, a dual-chamber device was implanted in 2, and bifocal right ventricular pacing was effected in 2. Bifocal (n=2) or conventional (n=1) systems were implanted in another 3 patients, in whom the LV lead got dislodged (n=2) or removed because of local dissection (n=1). Thus, finally, a CRT system was successfully established in 131 (94.9%) patients. There were 3 patients with CS dissection, of whom 1 was complicated by cardiac tamponade managed with pericardiocentesis. There were no perioperative deaths. During follow-up (31.0±21.2 months), clinical improvement was reported by 108 (82.4%) patients. CONCLUSION: Routine use of an electrophysiology catheter greatly facilitated CS cannulation and successful LV lead placement in ∼95% of patients undergoing CRT system implantation.
Authors: Mariana Brandão; João Gonçalves Almeida; Paulo Fonseca; Joel Monteiro; Elisabeth Santos; Filipa Rosas; José Nogueira Ribeiro; Marco Oliveira; Helena Gonçalves; João Primo; Ricardo Fontes-Carvalho Journal: Heart Rhythm O2 Date: 2021-12-17