Atrial fixation leads--a visual aid confirming actual fixation.
Various active fixation mechanisms are available for atrial lead implantation. Confirmation of actual fixation of the lead tip in the myocardium is sometimes difficult with standard techniques such as fluoroscopy. Our observation of organized clockwise/counterclockwise motions of the fixation stylet in synchrony with atrial systole confirms adequate positioning of the Accufix model #330-801 atrial lead in the right atrial appendage, which is helpful when the screw is difficult to visualize under fluoroscopy. This observation was confirmed in nine patients.
Department of Medicine, University of Florida.
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Curtis
D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004867:Equipment Design; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D009038:Motion; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D013599:Systole