Extension of generator longevity by use of high impedance ventricular leads.
The resistance of a pacing lead negatively correlates to current consumption. A prospective, randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of a high impedance ventricular lead (CapSure Z) on generator longevity compared to a conventional lead (CapSure SP) eighty-nine patients were included in the study (51 male, 37 female, age 70.0+/-10.3 years). Forty-six patients received a CapSure SP lead (5024 bipolar), and 43 patients received a CapSure Z lead (5034 bipolar) in a randomized fashion. Follow-up data collected at 5 days, 3, 6, and 12 months postimplant included: lead impedance, pacing and sensing thresholds, impulse energy, and estimated time to replacement. All parameters were collected via pacemaker telemetry; the time to replacement was calculated automatically by a programmed algorithm of the pacemaker. There was no difference in the performance of the atrial lead when a dual chamber device was indicated. The CapSure Z leads displayed statistically significant higher impedance values than the CapSure SP lead in all follow-up periods. There was no significant difference in lead related complications. No significant differences were observed between pacing and sensing thresholds in both groups. The CapSure Z leads provided a significant reduction in current drain, resulting in a reduction of mean energy consumption at the 12-month follow-up from 10.4+/-5.0 microJ in the CapSure SP group to 6.6+/-1.4 microJ in the CapSure Z group (median from 9.9 microJ to 6.9 microJ, respectively), providing an estimated increase in mean longevity of more than 1 year from 81.1+/-23.5 months in the CapSure SP group to 94.5+/-13.4 months in the CapSure Z group (median: 76.5 months to 95.0 months, respectively). The use of a high resistance lead for ventricular pacing appears to result in a clinically relevant extension of generator longevity.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Frankfurt/Main, Germany. M.Scherer@em.uni-frankfurt.de
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M
Scherer
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Ezziddin
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A
Klesius
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M
Skupin
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Helms
A
A
Moritz
H G
HG
Olbrich
D000368:Aged; D017097:Electric Impedance; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013686:Telemetry; D013997:Time Factors