Long-term cerebral thromboembolic complications of transapical endocardial resynchronization therapy

Purpose: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established therapeutic option in selected heart failure patients (pts). However, the transvenous left ventricular (LV) lead implantation remains ineffectual in a considerable number of pts. Transapical LV (TALV) lead implantation is an alternative minimally invasive, surgical, endocardial implantation technique. The aim of the present prospective study is to determine the long-term outcome, including the cerebral thromboembolic complications, of pts

Mid-term echocardiographic follow up of left ventricular function with permanent right ventricular pacing in pediatric patients with and without structural heart disease

BACKGROUND: Chronic right ventricular apical pacing may have detrimental effect on left ventricular function and may promote to heart failure in adult patients with left ventricular dysfunction. METHODS: A group of 99 pediatric patients with previously implanted pacemaker was studied retrospectively. Forty-three patients (21 males) had isolated congenital complete or advanced atrioventricular block. The remaining 56 patients (34 males) had pacing indication in the presence of structural heart disease. Thirty-two of them (21 males) had isolated structural heart disease and the remaining 24 (13 males) had complex congenital heart disease. Patients were followed up for an average of 53 ± 41.4 months with 12-lead electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiography. Left ventricular shortening fraction was used as a marker of ventricular function. QRS duration was assessed using leads V(5 )or II on standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. RESULTS: Left ventricular shortening fraction did not change significantly after pacemaker implantation compared to preimplant values overall and in subgroups. In patients with complex congenital heart malformations shortening fraction decreased significantly during the follow up period. (0.45 ± 0.07 vs 0.35 ± 0.06, p = 0.015). The correlation between the change in left ventricular shortening fraction and the mean increase of paced QRS duration was not significant. Six patients developed dilated cardiomyopathy, which was diagnosed 2 months to 9 years after pacemaker implantation. CONCLUSION: Chronic right ventricular pacing in pediatric patients with or without structural heart disease does not necessarily result in decline of left ventricular function. In patients with complex congenital heart malformations left ventricular shortening fraction shows significant decrease

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textabstractBackground: Coronary sinus lead placement for transvenous left ventricular (LV) pacing in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has a significant failure rate at implant and a considerable dislocation rate during follow-up. For these patients epicardial pacing lead implantation is the most frequently used alternative. Recent data support endocardial lead implantation through the atrial septum and the mitral valve, because this method provides further hemodynamic advantages. On the other hand transseptal CRT carries a significant risk for device related infective endocarditis of the mitral valve. The aim of this prospective, nonrandomized study was to demonstrate the feasibility of a fundamentally new approach for endocardial LV lead implantation. Methods: We performed 12 transapical LV lead implantations in 10 end-sta

Comparison of the Efficacy of Two Surgical Alternatives for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Trans-Apical versus Epicardial Left Ventricular Pacing

Background: Epicardial pacing lead implantation is the currently preferred surgical alternative for left ventricular (LV) lead placement. For endocardial LV pacing, we developed a fundamentally new surgical method. The trans-apical lead implantation is a minimally invasive technique that provides access to any LV segments. The aim of this prospective randomized study was to compare the outcome of patients undergoing either trans-apical endocardial or epicardial LV pacing. Methods: In group I, 11 end-stage heart failure (HF) patients (mean age 59.7 +/- 7.9 years) underwent trans-apical LV lead implantation. Epicardial LV leads were implanted in 12 end-stage HF patients (group II; mean age 62.8 +/- 7.3 years). Medical therapy was optimized in all patients. The following parameters were compared during an 18-month follow-up period: LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), LV end-systolic diameter, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) function Results: Nine out of 11 patients responded favorably to the treatment in group I (LVEF 39.7 +/- 12.5 vs 26.0 +/- 7.8%, P < 0.01; LVEDD 70.4 +/- 13.6 mm vs 73.7 +/- 10.5 mm, P = 0.002; NYHA class 2.2 +/- 0.4 vs 3.5 +/- 0.4, P < 0.01) and eight out of 12 in group II (LVEF 31.5 +/- 11.5 vs 26.4 +/- 8.9%, P = < 0.001; NYHA class 2.7 +/- 0.4 vs 3.6 +/- 0.4, P < 0.05). During the follow-up period, one patient died in group I and three in group II. There was one intraoperative LV lead dislocation in gr Conclusions: Our data suggest that trans-apical endocardial LV lead implantation is an alternative to epicardial LV pacing. (PACE 2012;35:124-130