Stabilization of the coronary sinus electrode position with coronary stent implantation to prevent and treat dislocation.
BACKGROUND
Coronary sinus (CS) leads used for cardiac resynchronization have undergone development in the last years. However, dislocation rate remained high (5-9%). The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of stent implantation in a CS side vein to stabilize the left ventricular lead position after postoperative or intraoperative dislocation of the electrode.


RESULTS
Thirty-six patients (age: 64 +/- 9.7 years, 19 primary, 17 ischemic cardiomyopathy, NYHA class III: 30, IV: 6) were treated with stenting. The procedure was performed because of postoperative dislocation in seven patients, while dislocation was observed during the implantation in 29 cases. The electrode was repositioned into the desired position and a bare metal coronary stent was introduced via another guide wire. The stent was deposited at 5- to 15-mm proximal to the tip of the electrode with a pressure of 6 to 14 atmospheres. Control angiography showed no blood flow compromise in any of the side branches or in the coronary sinus. Control echocardiography did not show pericardial effusion due to stenting. During follow-up (11.5 +/- 5.5, 2-23 months), left ventricular pacing threshold increased from 2.2 to 5.6 V in one patient, but dislocation was not found by fluoroscopy. Clinically important pacing threshold increase was not detected in the other cases. Impedance measurements did not suggest lead insulation failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Stent implantation to stabilize the left ventricular lead position seems to be a useful and safe procedure in the treatment of patients with complicated coronary sinus anatomy or lead instability.
Szilagyi
Szabolcs
S
Cardiovascular Center, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Merkely
Bela
B
Roka
Attila
A
Zima
Endre
E
Fulop
Gabor
G
Kutyifa
Valentina
V
Szucs
Gabor
G
Becker
David
D
Apor
Astrid
A
Geller
Laszlo
L
D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D012086:Reoperation; D012849:Sinoatrial Node; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome