Long-term results of high vs. normal impedance ventricular leads on actual (Real-Life) pacemaker generator longevity.
OBJECTIVE
The long-term effects of high impedance vs. standard impedance pacing leads on actual generator longevity were studied.


RESULTS
In 40 patients (21 females, age 73 +/- 13 years) with standard dual-chamber pacemaker indication, bipolar standard impedance ventricular leads and high-impedance leads were implanted in a randomized fashion. Identical pacemaker generators and atrial pacing leads were implanted in all patients. Patients were observed during a mean follow-up of 89.8 +/- 8.8 months before pacemaker replacement. Initially, the patients who received the high-impedance leads had a lower current drain as compared with standard pacing impedance leads, and the estimated pacemaker longevity was significantly prolonged, too. But this pattern disappeared after 6 years of follow-up, and finally the actual pacemaker generators' replacement time was 86.7 +/- 6.8 months in standard impedance lead group vs. 91.2 +/- 10.3 months in high-impedance lead group (P = 0.17).


CONCLUSIONS
Implantation of high pacing impedance leads for ventricular stimulation does not result in a benefit with respect to pacemaker longevity as compared with standard impedance leads.
Etsadashvili
Kakhaber
K
Clinical Department of Cardiology, Medical University Innsbruck Anichstrasse, Innsbruck, Austria. ekt_guli@yahoo.com
Hintringer
Florian
F
Stühlinger
Markus
M
Dichtl
Wolfgang
W
Spuller
Karin
K
Antretter
Herwig
H
Hangler
Herbert
H
Pachinger
Otmar
O
Roithinger
Franz Xaver
FX
Berger
Thomas
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D018754:Ventricular Dysfunction / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*