Complications of biventricular pacing.
OBJECTIVE
Cardiac resynchronization therapy, a biventricular pacemaker-based therapy for heart failure, is increasingly being used based on a variety of clinical studies. However, the complications and risks related to different aspects of this novel therapy are not well documented. This review summarizes the data derived from major clinical trials about the complications related to implantation, hardware, and programming of biventricular devices.


RESULTS
Several clinical trials have reported the complications related to biventricular device implantation. However, there are no reports available providing a comprehensive review on all the possible complications related to cardiac resynchronization devices.


CONCLUSIONS
With a clear understanding of the potential complications and meticulous approach to implant and programming, the incidence of complications can be minimized.
Bhatta
Luna
L
Division of Cardiology, Penn State Cardiovascular Center, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, USA. lbhatta@aol.com
Luck
Jerry C
JC
Wolbrette
Deborah L
DL
Naccarelli
Gerald V
GV
D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*