title: [Experience in the use of a new endocardial stimulation electrode].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since February 2002, Flextend electrode catheters are used at the Cardiovascular Unit of the Catholic University Clinical Hospital. These transvenous catheters have an IS-1 connector, silicone coating, active fixation and retractile helix with dexamethasone acetate.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report early and one year results using Flextend catheters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of all patients that received an implant of a Flextend catheter in the Unit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty one Flextend catheters were implanted in 24 patients, without acute displacement or clinical pericarditis. In 18 electrode catheters located in the right atrium the mean values for p wave, stimulation threshold and impedance at the moment of placement, were 2.9+/-1.4 mV, 0.8+/-0.4 V and 522+/-86 Ohms, respectively. The figures 24 hours after placement were 3.6+/-2.1 mV, 0.8+/-0.3 V and 612+/-69 Ohms, respectively. In 23 electrode catheters in the right ventricle, mean values at the moment of placement for R wave, stimulation threshold and impedance were 11.3+/-3.6 mV, 0.8+/-0.2 V and 756+/-108 Ohms, respectively. The figures 24 hours after placement were 3.6+/-2.1 mV, 0.8+/-0.3 V and 612+/-69 Ohms, respectively. In one patient, the stimulation threshold increased two months after placement and required a new intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Flextend catheters ca be placed successfully with a low rate of complications and stable function parameters on follow up.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Electrofisiología Cardíaca, Departamento de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frangini
authors.forename: Ismael
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vergara
authors.forename: Rolando
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baeza
authors.forename: Ana María
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cambón
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000628:therapy; D002307:Cardiography, Impedance; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006329:Heart Conduction System; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical