title: Preprocedural imaging in patients with transposition of the great arteries facilitates placement of cardiac resynchronization therapy leads.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to review a series of patients with complex congenital heart disease in whom preprocedural imaging was used to assist placement of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) leads.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  CRT may be beneficial in patients with a failing systemic ventricle and transposition of the great arteries (TGA). However, complex coronary venous anatomy can be challenging for placement of CRT leads.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between October 2006 and June 2012, seven patients with either dextro-TGA (d-TGA) or levo-TGA (l-TGA) underwent preprocedural imaging prior to placement of CRT leads (three, d-TGA and four, l-TGA). Three patients underwent cardiac computed tomography (CT) and four underwent coronary angiography, which included levophase imaging of the coronary sinus (CS) or direct contrast injection of the CS. Where CS anatomy was appropriate with drainage into the systemic venous circulation, a transvenous approach was planned. In all other cases, the patient was referred for surgical placement of epicardial leads.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven patients were identified with either d-TGA or l-TGA who had undergone preprocedural imaging prior to placement of CRT leads (three, d-TGA and four, l-TGA). Three patients underwent cardiac CT and four underwent coronary angiography, which included levophase imaging of the CS or direct contrast injection of the CS. All seven patients had successful CRT lead placement guided by preprocedure imaging. Three patients required surgical placement whereas four were able to undergo transvenous placement. There were no complications. The majority of patients (four of seven) had improvement in New York Heart Association class as well as subjective improvement in exercise tolerance and energy. The majority of patients also had subjective improvement in systemic right ventricular function by echocardiogram and objective improvement in fractional area change of the right ventricle. The follow-up period ranged from 13 months to 55 months with a mean follow-up of 39 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Placement of biventricular leads for CRT in patients with l-TGA or d-TGA is feasible. Preprocedural imaging of the CS allows for better assessment of its anatomy and helps determine procedural approach for CRT placement, thereby limiting unnecessary procedures. In the majority of patients, there was subjective improvement in functional status and right ventricular function; in addition, there was objective improvement in echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular function after CRT placement.
authors: Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado.
authors: Emily Sue
authors: ES
authors: Ruckdeschel
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Quaife
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Lewkowiez
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Kay
authors: William H
authors: WH
authors: Sauer
authors: Kathryn K
authors: KK
authors: Collins
authors: Duy Thai
authors: DT
authors: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D058409:Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D014188:Transposition of Great Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: cardiac resynchronization therapy; congenital heart disease; transposition of the great arteries