Upper extremity deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after transvenous lead replacement or upgrade procedures.

BACKGROUND: Venous obstructions are frequent in patients with transvenous leads, although related clinical findings are rarely reported. After lead replacement or upgrade procedures, these lesions are even more frequent, but there is still no evidence to support this observation. AIM: To investigate the incidence and possible risk factors for upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) after lead replacement or upgrade procedures. METHODS: Prospective cohort carried out between April 2013 and July 2016. Preoperative evaluation included venous ultrasound and pulmonary angiotomography. Diagnostic exams were repeated postoperatively to detect the study outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: Among the 84 patients included, 44 (52.4%) were female and mean age was 59.3 ± 15.2 years. Lead malfunctioning (75.0%) was the main surgical procedure indication. Lead removal was performed in 44 (52.4%) cases. The rate of postoperative combined events was 32.6%, with 24 (28.6%) cases of UEDVT and six (7.1%) cases of PE. Clinical manifestations of deep venous thrombosis occurred in 10 (11.9%) patients. Independent prognostic factors for UEDVT were severe collateral circulation in the preoperative venography (odds ratio [OR] 4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-19.8; P = .037) and transvenous lead extraction (OR 27.4; 95% CI 5.8-128.8; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Reoperations involving previously implanted transvenous leads present high rates of thromboembolic complications. Transvenous lead extraction had a significant impact on the development of UEDVT. These results show the need of further studies to evaluate the role of preventive strategies for this subgroup of patients.

Efficacy, Safety, and Performance of Isolated Left vs. Right Ventricular Pacing in Patients with Bradyarrhythmias: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Considering the potential deleterious effects of right ventricular (RV) pacing, the hypothesis of this study is that isolated left ventricular (LV) pacing through the coronary sinus is safe and may provide better clinical and echocardiographic benefits to patients with bradyarrhythmias and normal ventricular function requiring heart rate correction alone. OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety, efficacy, and effects of LV pacing using an active-fixation coronary sinus lead in comparison with RV pacing, in patients eligible for conventional pacemaker (PM) implantation. METHODS: Randomized, controlled, and single-blinded clinical trial in adult patients submitted to PM implantation due to bradyarrhythmias and systolic ventricular function ≥ 0.40. Randomization (RV vs. LV) occurred before PM implantation. The main results of the study were procedural success, safety, and efficacy. Secondary results were clinical and echocardiographic changes. Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test and Student's t-test were used, considering a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: From June 2012 to January 2014, 91 patients were included, 36 in the RV Group and 55 in the LV Group. Baseline characteristics of patients in both groups were similar. PM implantation was performed successfully and without any complications in all patients in the RV group. Of the 55 patients initially allocated into the LV group, active-fixation coronary sinus lead implantation was not possible in 20 (36.4%) patients. The most frequent complication was phrenic nerve stimulation, detected in 9 (25.7%) patients in the LV group. During the follow-up period, there were no hospitalizations due to heart failure. Reductions of more than 10% in left ventricular ejection fraction were observed in 23.5% of patients in the RV group and 20.6% of those in the LV group (p = 0.767). Tissue Doppler analysis showed that 91.2% of subjects in the RV group and 68.8% of those in the LV group had interventricular dyssynchrony (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: The procedural success rate of LV implant was low, and the safety of the procedure was influenced mainly by the high rate of phrenic nerve stimulation in the postoperative period.

Usefulness of preoperative venography in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices submitted to lead replacement or device upgrade procedures.

BACKGROUND: Venous obstructions are common in patients with transvenous cardiac implantable electronic devices, but they rarely cause immediate clinical problems. The main consequence of these lesions is the difficulty in obtaining venous access for additional leads implantation. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the prevalence and predictor factors of venous lesions in patients referred to lead reoperations, and to define the role of preoperative venography in the planning of these procedures. METHODS: From April 2013 to July 2016, contrast venography was performed in 100 patients referred to device upgrade, revision and lead extraction. Venous lesions were classified as non-significant (< 50%), moderate stenosis (51-70%), severe stenosis (71-99%) or occlusion (100%). Collateral circulation was classified as absent, discrete, moderate or accentuated. The surgical strategy was defined according to the result of the preoperative venography. Univariate analysis was used to investigate predictor factors related to the occurrence of these lesions, with 5% of significance level. RESULTS: Moderate venous stenosis was observed in 23%, severe in 13% and occlusions in 11%. There were no significant differences in relation to the device side or the venous segment. The usefulness of the preoperative venography to define the operative tactic was proven, and in 99% of the cases, the established surgical strategy could be performed according to plan. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of venous obstruction is high in CIED recipients referred to reoperations. Venography is highly indicated as a preoperative examination for allowing the adequate surgical planning of procedures involving previous transvenous leads.

Complications after Surgical Procedures in Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: Results of a Prospective Registry.

BACKGROUND:: Complications after surgical procedures in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) are an emerging problem due to an increasing number of such procedures and aging of the population, which consequently increases the frequency of comorbidities. OBJECTIVE:: To identify the rates of postoperative complications, mortality, and hospital readmissions, and evaluate the risk factors for the occurrence of these events. METHODS:: Prospective and unicentric study that included all individuals undergoing CIED surgical procedures from February to August 2011. The patients were distributed by type of procedure into the following groups: initial implantations (cohort 1), generator exchange (cohort 2), and lead-related procedures (cohort 3). The outcomes were evaluated by an independent committee. Univariate and multivariate analyses assessed the risk factors, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. RESULTS:: A total of 713 patients were included in the study and distributed as follows: 333 in cohort 1, 304 in cohort 2, and 76 in cohort 3. Postoperative complications were detected in 7.5%, 1.6%, and 11.8% of the patients in cohorts 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p = 0.014). During a 6-month follow-up, there were 58 (8.1%) deaths and 75 (10.5%) hospital readmissions. Predictors of hospital readmission included the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (odds ratio [OR] = 4.2), functional class III--IV (OR = 1.8), and warfarin administration (OR = 1.9). Predictors of mortality included age over 80 years (OR = 2.4), ventricular dysfunction (OR = 2.2), functional class III-IV (OR = 3.3), and warfarin administration (OR = 2.3). CONCLUSIONS:: Postoperative complications, hospital readmissions, and deaths occurred frequently and were strongly related to the type of procedure performed, type of CIED, and severity of the patient's underlying heart disease. FUNDAMENTO:: Complicações após procedimentos cirúrgicos em portadores de dispositivos cardíacos eletrônicos implantáveis (DCEI) são um problema emergente devido ao aumento crescente na taxa destes procedimentos e ao envelhecimento da população, com consequente aumento de comorbidades. OBJETIVOS:: Identificar as taxas de complicações pós-operatórias, mortalidade e readmissão hospitalar, e pesquisar fatores de risco para a ocorrência desses eventos. MÉTODOS:: Registro prospectivo e unicêntrico que incluiu todos os indivíduos submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos em DCEI no período de fevereiro a agosto de 2011. Os pacientes foram distribuídos por tipos de procedimento nos seguintes grupos: implantes iniciais (coorte 1), troca de gerador (coorte 2) e procedimentos em cabos-eletrodos (coorte 3). Os desfechos foram avaliados por um comitê independente. Empregou-se a análise univariada e multivariada para a pesquisa de fatores de risco e o método de Kaplan-Meier para análise de sobrevida. RESULTADOS:: Foram incluídos 713 pacientes, sendo 333, 304 e 76 distribuídos nas coortes 1, 2 e 3, respectivamente. Complicações pós-operatórias foram detectadas em 7,5%, 1,6% e 11,8% dos pacientes nas coortes 1, 2 e 3, respectivamente (p = 0,014). Durante os 6 meses de seguimento, houve 58 (8,1%) óbitos e 75 (10,5%) readmissões hospitalares. Preditores de readmissão hospitalar incluíram o uso de cardioversor-desfibrilador implantável ( odds ratio [OR] = 4,2), classe funcional III-IV (OR = 1,8) e uso de warfarina (OR = 1,9). Preditores de mortalidade incluíram idade acima de 80 anos (OR = 2,4), disfunção ventricular (OR = 2,2), classe funcional III-IV (OR = 3,3) e uso de warfarina (OR = 2,3). CONCLUSÕES:: Complicações pós-operatórias, readmissões hospitalares e óbitos foram frequentes. Esses eventos estiveram fortemente relacionados ao tipo de procedimento realizado, tipo de DCEI e gravidade da doença cardíaca do paciente.

Efficacy, Safety, and Performance of Isolated Left vs. Right Ventricular Pacing in Patients with Bradyarrhythmias: A Randomized Controlled Trial / Eficácia, Segurança e Desempenho da Estimulação Ventricular Esquerda versus Direita em Pacientes com Bradiarritmias: Ensaio Clínico Randomizado

Abstract Background: Considering the potential deleterious effects of right ventricular (RV) pacing, the hypothesis of this study is that isolated left ventricular (LV) pacing through the coronary sinus is safe and may provide better clinical and echocardiographic benefits to patients with bradyarrhythmias and normal ventricular function requiring heart rate correction alone. Objective: To assess the safety, efficacy, and effects of LV pacing using an active-fixation coronary sinus lead in comparison with RV pacing, in patients eligible for conventional pacemaker (PM) implantation. Methods: Randomized, controlled, and single-blinded clinical trial in adult patients submitted to PM implantation due to bradyarrhythmias and systolic ventricular function ≥ 0.40. Randomization (RV vs. LV) occurred before PM implantation. The main results of the study were procedural success, safety, and efficacy. Secondary results were clinical and echocardiographic changes. Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test and Student's t-test were used, considering a significance level of 5%. Results: From June 2012 to January 2014, 91 patients were included, 36 in the RV Group and 55 in the LV Group. Baseline characteristics of patients in both groups were similar. PM implantation was performed successfully and without any complications in all patients in the RV group. Of the 55 patients initially allocated into the LV group, active-fixation coronary sinus lead implantation was not possible in 20 (36.4%) patients. The most frequent complication was phrenic nerve stimulation, detected in 9 (25.7%) patients in the LV group. During the follow-up period, there were no hospitalizations due to heart failure. Reductions of more than 10% in left ventricular ejection fraction were observed in 23.5% of patients in the RV group and 20.6% of those in the LV group (p = 0.767). Tissue Doppler analysis showed that 91.2% of subjects in the RV group and 68.8% of those in the LV group had interventricular dyssynchrony (p = 0.022). Conclusion: The procedural success rate of LV implant was low, and the safety of the procedure was influenced mainly by the high rate of phrenic nerve stimulation in the postoperative period.

Resumo Fundamento: Considerando-se os potenciais efeitos deletérios da estimulação do ventrículo direito (VD), a hipótese desse estudo é que a estimulação unifocal ventricular esquerda pelo seio coronário é segura e pode proporcionar melhores benefícios clínicos e ecocardiográficos aos pacientes com bradiarritmias que apresentam função ventricular normal, necessitando apenas da correção da frequência cardíaca. Objetivos: Avaliar a segurança, a eficácia e os efeitos da estimulação do ventrículo esquerdo (VE), utilizando um cabo-eletrodo com fixação ativa, em comparação à estimulação do VD. Métodos: Estudo clínico, randomizado, simples-cego em pacientes adultos com indicação de marca-passo (MP) devido a bradiarritmias e função ventricular sistólica ≥ 0,40. A randomização aleatória (VD vs VE) ocorreu antes do procedimento. Os desfechos primários do estudo foram: o sucesso, a segurança e a eficácia do procedimento proposto. Os desfechos secundários foram: a evolução clínica e alterações ecocardiográficas. Empregou-se os testes Qui-quadrado, Exato de Fisher e t de Student, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: De junho de 2012 a janeiro de 2014 foram incluídos 91 pacientes, sendo 36 no grupo VD e 55 no grupo VE. As características basais dos pacientes dos dois grupos foram similares. O implante de MP foi realizado com sucesso e sem nenhuma intercorrência em todos os pacientes do grupo VD. Dos 55 pacientes inicialmente alocados para o grupo VE, o implante do cabo-eletrodo em veias coronárias não foi possível em 20 (36,4%) pacientes. Dentre os 35 pacientes que permaneceram com o cabo-eletrodo no VE, a estimulação frênica foi a complicação mais frequente e foi detectada em 9 (25,7%) pacientes. Na fase de seguimento clínico, não houve hospitalizações por insuficiência cardíaca. Reduções superiores a 10% na fração de ejeção do VE foram observadas em 23,5% dos pacientes do grupo VD e em 20,6% dos pacientes do grupo VE (p = 0,767). A análise feita pelo Doppler tecidual mostrou que 91,2% dos indivíduos do grupo VD e 68,8% dos do grupo VE apresentaram dissincronia interventricular (p = 0,022). Conclusões: A taxa de sucesso do implante no VE foi baixa e a segurança do procedimento foi influenciada, principalmente, pela alta taxa de estimulação frênica no pós-operatório.

Usefulness of preoperative venography in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices submitted to lead replacement or device upgrade procedures / Utilidade da Venografia Pré-Operatória em Procedimentos de Troca de Cabos-Eletrodos ou Mudança do Modo de Estimulação

Abstract Background: Venous obstructions are common in patients with transvenous cardiac implantable electronic devices, but they rarely cause immediate clinical problems. The main consequence of these lesions is the difficulty in obtaining venous access for additional leads implantation. Objectives: We aimed to assess the prevalence and predictor factors of venous lesions in patients referred to lead reoperations, and to define the role of preoperative venography in the planning of these procedures. Methods: From April 2013 to July 2016, contrast venography was performed in 100 patients referred to device upgrade, revision and lead extraction. Venous lesions were classified as non-significant (< 50%), moderate stenosis (51-70%), severe stenosis (71-99%) or occlusion (100%). Collateral circulation was classified as absent, discrete, moderate or accentuated. The surgical strategy was defined according to the result of the preoperative venography. Univariate analysis was used to investigate predictor factors related to the occurrence of these lesions, with 5% of significance level. Results: Moderate venous stenosis was observed in 23%, severe in 13% and occlusions in 11%. There were no significant differences in relation to the device side or the venous segment. The usefulness of the preoperative venography to define the operative tactic was proven, and in 99% of the cases, the established surgical strategy could be performed according to plan. Conclusions: The prevalence of venous obstruction is high in CIED recipients referred to reoperations. Venography is highly indicated as a preoperative examination for allowing the adequate surgical planning of procedures involving previous transvenous leads.

Resumo Fundamento: Obstruções venosas são frequentes em portadores de dispositivos cardíacos eletrônicos implantáveis (DCEI) endocárdicos, mas raramente causam problemas clínicos imediatos. A principal consequência destas lesões é a dificuldade para obtenção de via de acesso para o implante de novos cabos-eletrodos. Objetivos: Determinar a prevalência de lesões venosas em candidatos a reoperações envolvendo o manuseio de cabos-eletrodos, e definir o papel da venografia pré-operatória no planejamento desses procedimentos. Métodos: De abril de 2013 a julho de 2016, 100 pacientes com indicação de troca de cabos-eletrodos, ou mudança no modo de estimulação, realizaram venografia com subtração digital no período pré-operatório. As lesões venosas foram classificadas em: não significativas (< 50%), moderadas (51-70%), graves (71-99%) ou oclusivas (100%), e a circulação colateral, em ausente, discreta, moderada ou acentuada. A estratégia cirúrgica foi definida a partir do resultado deste exame. Empregou-se análise univariada para a pesquisa de fatores de risco relacionados à ocorrência dessas lesões, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Obstruções venosas moderadas foram observadas em 23%, graves em 13% e oclusões em 11% dos pacientes estudados, não sendo identificadas diferenças significativas em sua distribuição em relação ao lado do implante, ou do segmento venoso. A utilidade do exame para definição da tática operatória foi comprovada, sendo que em 99% dos casos, a estratégia cirúrgica estabelecida pode ser executada. Conclusões: A prevalência de obstruções venosas é elevada em portadores de DCEI que serão submetidos a reoperações. A venografia é altamente indicada como exame pré-operatório para o adequado planejamento cirúrgico de procedimentos envolvendo cabos-eletrodos transvenosos previamente implantados.

Complications after Surgical Procedures in Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: Results of a Prospective Registry / Complicações após Procedimentos Cirúrgicos em Portadores de Dispositivos Cardíacos Eletrônicos Implantáveis: Resultados de um Registro Prospectivo

Abstract Background: Complications after surgical procedures in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) are an emerging problem due to an increasing number of such procedures and aging of the population, which consequently increases the frequency of comorbidities. Objective: To identify the rates of postoperative complications, mortality, and hospital readmissions, and evaluate the risk factors for the occurrence of these events. Methods: Prospective and unicentric study that included all individuals undergoing CIED surgical procedures from February to August 2011. The patients were distributed by type of procedure into the following groups: initial implantations (cohort 1), generator exchange (cohort 2), and lead-related procedures (cohort 3). The outcomes were evaluated by an independent committee. Univariate and multivariate analyses assessed the risk factors, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results: A total of 713 patients were included in the study and distributed as follows: 333 in cohort 1, 304 in cohort 2, and 76 in cohort 3. Postoperative complications were detected in 7.5%, 1.6%, and 11.8% of the patients in cohorts 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p = 0.014). During a 6-month follow-up, there were 58 (8.1%) deaths and 75 (10.5%) hospital readmissions. Predictors of hospital readmission included the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (odds ratio [OR] = 4.2), functional class III­-IV (OR = 1.8), and warfarin administration (OR = 1.9). Predictors of mortality included age over 80 years (OR = 2.4), ventricular dysfunction (OR = 2.2), functional class III-IV (OR = 3.3), and warfarin administration (OR = 2.3). Conclusions: Postoperative complications, hospital readmissions, and deaths occurred frequently and were strongly related to the type of procedure performed, type of CIED, and severity of the patient's underlying heart disease.

Resumo Fundamento: Complicações após procedimentos cirúrgicos em portadores de dispositivos cardíacos eletrônicos implantáveis (DCEI) são um problema emergente devido ao aumento crescente na taxa destes procedimentos e ao envelhecimento da população, com consequente aumento de comorbidades. Objetivos: Identificar as taxas de complicações pós-operatórias, mortalidade e readmissão hospitalar, e pesquisar fatores de risco para a ocorrência desses eventos. Métodos: Registro prospectivo e unicêntrico que incluiu todos os indivíduos submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos em DCEI no período de fevereiro a agosto de 2011. Os pacientes foram distribuídos por tipos de procedimento nos seguintes grupos: implantes iniciais (coorte 1), troca de gerador (coorte 2) e procedimentos em cabos-eletrodos (coorte 3). Os desfechos foram avaliados por um comitê independente. Empregou-se a análise univariada e multivariada para a pesquisa de fatores de risco e o método de Kaplan-Meier para análise de sobrevida. Resultados: Foram incluídos 713 pacientes, sendo 333, 304 e 76 distribuídos nas coortes 1, 2 e 3, respectivamente. Complicações pós-operatórias foram detectadas em 7,5%, 1,6% e 11,8% dos pacientes nas coortes 1, 2 e 3, respectivamente (p = 0,014). Durante os 6 meses de seguimento, houve 58 (8,1%) óbitos e 75 (10,5%) readmissões hospitalares. Preditores de readmissão hospitalar incluíram o uso de cardioversor-desfibrilador implantável ( odds ratio [OR] = 4,2), classe funcional III-IV (OR = 1,8) e uso de warfarina (OR = 1,9). Preditores de mortalidade incluíram idade acima de 80 anos (OR = 2,4), disfunção ventricular (OR = 2,2), classe funcional III-IV (OR = 3,3) e uso de warfarina (OR = 2,3). Conclusões: Complicações pós-operatórias, readmissões hospitalares e óbitos foram frequentes. Esses eventos estiveram fortemente relacionados ao tipo de procedimento realizado, tipo de DCEI e gravidade da doença cardíaca do paciente.