Development of a novel temporary epicardial pacing wire with biodegradable film.
OBJECTIVE
A temporary epicardial pacing wire (TEPW) has been routinely placed in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, its fixation or removal occasionally causes troublesome complications. The aim of this study is to develop a novel TEPW using biodegradable film to fix the electrode to the epicardium without needle stabbing.


METHODS
A biodegradable film was prepared with poly(L-lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone). The film has a honeycomb-patterned structure that serves as a temporary adhesive for the myocardial surface, and the electrode was incorporated within the film. The novel TEPW was placed on the ventricular epicardium of dogs (group A, n = 5). As a control, conventional TEPW was inserted (group B, n = 6). The pacing threshold, R wave amplitude, impedance, and slew rate were measured at postoperative days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14, and complications after removal were checked.


RESULTS
All measurements in both groups were identified and differences were not observed. In addition, the novel TEPWs could be easily removed without related complications.


CONCLUSIONS
This novel TEPW is safe and feasible for postoperative management of cardiac surgeries.
Narita
Yuji
Y
Department of Tissue Engineering, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan. ynarita@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Fukuhira
Yukako
Y
Kagami
Hideaki
H
Kitazono
Eiichi
E
Kaneko
Hiroaki
H
Sumi
Yoshihiko
Y
Usui
Akihiko
A
Ueda
Minoru
M
Ueda
Yuichi
Y
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002208:Caproates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004285:Dogs; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D007783:Lactones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D010496:Pericardium; D011091:Polyesters / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002208:Caproates; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D007783:Lactones; D011091:Polyesters; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; C033616:poly(lactide); C121056:caprolactone