Does size really matter? A comparison of the Riata lead family based on size and its relation to performance.
BACKGROUND
Recently, the performance and safety of smaller diameter implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads has been questioned. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the impact of size on lead performance and perforation rates by comparing the performance of 7 French (7F) and 8 French (8F) leads with similar design characteristics implanted by a single operator.


METHODS
Patients implanted with a Riata 1580 (8F) or 7000 (7F) series leads (St. Jude Medical, Sylmar, CA, USA) over a 2-year period were evaluated to compare performance and perforation rates.


RESULTS
There were 357 Riata 8F leads and 357 Riata 7F leads implanted in 714 patients. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 24 months. The 8F leads were implanted in the right ventricular apex more often than were 7F leads (129 or 37% vs 72 or 20%, P < 0.0001). Oversensing that did not result in therapy occurred in 2 pts (0.56%) with 8F leads and 1 pt. (0.28%) with a 7F lead (P = 0.56). Oversensing with therapy occurred once in both groups (0.28%, P = NS). One perforation occurred in each group (0.28%, P = NS). Both occurred in leads that were implanted in the right ventricular apex (P = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
The performance of St. Jude Medical 7F and 8F Riata leads was similar. The incidence of lead-related adverse events was within or below the low end of published acceptable ranges for ICD lead perforation and sensing anomalies. Perforations were less likely to occur in leads that were implanted in nonapical positions.
Corbisiero
Raffaele
R
Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology Division, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, Browns Mills, New Jersey 08015, USA. corbisieror@deborah.org
Armbruster
Rebecca
R
D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015897:Comorbidity; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome