Resynchronization: what if the left ventricular lead cannot reach the lateral or posterolateral wall?
BACKGROUND
The recommended left ventricular (LV) lead position for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is at the lateral or posterolateral wall. However, LV leads cannot always be implanted at this site. The objective of our study was to compare the clinical response to CRT when the LV lead could be implanted or not at the lateral or posterolateral wall.


METHODS
In consecutive patients implanted with a CRT device, we documented the final position achieved by the tip of the LV lead in the left anterior oblique projection. Patients were prospectively followed for 6 months after implantation. They were defined as responders if they were alive, had gained 1 New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, and had not been hospitalized for heart failure.


RESULTS
The study population consisted of 77 patients (56 men, 71 +/- 10 years, 62 NYHA class III, 15 NYHA class IV). The LV lead was implanted at the lateral or posterolateral wall in 54 patients (group A) and at the anterior or anterolateral wall in 23 patients (group B). At 6 months, seven patients (9%) died (all in group A). There were 37 responders (69%) in group A as compared to 22 (96%) in group B.


CONCLUSIONS
The responder rate was not inferior when the LV lead was implanted at the anterior or anterolateral wall. Thus, in case of failed implantation at the lateral or posterolateral wall, positioning the LV lead in a more anterior location appears to be a reasonable alternative. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.
D'Ivernois
Christophe
C
Service de Cardiologie, Hôpital Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France. christophe.divernois@chu-limoges.fr
Lesage
Jérôme
J
Blanc
Patrick
P
D000368:Aged; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome