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BACKGROUND: Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) is a novel physiological pacing technique which may serve as an alternative to biventricular pacing (BVP) for the delivery of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT). This study assessed the feasibility and outcomes of LBBP in comparison to BVP. METHODS: LBBP was attempted in 40 consecutive patients as the first-line method for delivering CRT. To evaluate LBBP versus BVP, 40 patients with identical inclusion criteria who received BVP were compared with the LBBP group. Acute success rate, complications, functional and echocardiographic outcomes as well as hospitalisation for heart failure and all-cause mortality 6 months after implantation were evaluated. RESULTS: LBBP was successfully performed in 31 (78%) patients and resulted in significant QRS narrowing (from 166⯱ 16 to 123⯱ 18â¯ms, pâ¯< 0.001), improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; from 28⯱ 8 to 43⯱ 12%, pâ¯< 0.001) and New York Heart Association functional class (from 2.8⯱ 0.5 to 1.6⯱ 0.6, pâ¯< 0.001) at 6 months. No LBBP-related complications occurred. Compared to BVP, LBBP resulted in a greater reduction in QRS duration (44⯱ 17 vs 15⯱ 26â¯ms, pâ¯< 0.001) with comparable absolute improvement in LVEF (15.2⯱ 11.7 vs 9.6⯱ 12.1%, pâ¯= 0.088). Hospitalisation for heart failure and all-cause mortality were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: LBBP is feasible and was safe in 78% of patients with favourable electrical resynchronisation and functional improvement and may serve as an alternative to BVP.
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BACKGROUND: Left bundle branch (LBB) pacing is a novel pacing technique which may serve as an alternative to both right ventricular pacing for symptomatic bradycardia and cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT). A substantial amount of data is reported by relatively few, highly experienced centres. This study describes the first experience of LBB pacing in a high-volume device centre. METHODS: Success rates (i.e. the ability to achieve LBB pacing), electrophysiological parameters and complications at implant and up to 6 months of follow-up were prospectively assessed in 100 consecutive patients referred for various pacing indications. RESULTS: The mean age was 71⯱ 11 years and 65% were male. Primary pacing indication was atrioventricular (AV) block in 40%, CRT in 42%, and sinus node dysfunction or refractory atrial fibrillation prior to AV node ablation in 9% each. Baseline left ventricular ejection fraction was <â¯50% in 57% of patients, mean baseline QRS duration 145⯱ 34â¯ms. Overall LBB pacing was successful in 83 of 100 (83%) patients but tended to be lower in patients with CRT pacing indication (69%, pâ¯= ns). Mean left ventricular activation time (LVAT) during LBB pacing was 81â¯ms and paced QRS duration was 120⯱ 19â¯ms. LBB capture threshold and Rwave sense at implant was 0.74⯱ 0.4â¯mV at 0.4â¯ms and 11.9⯱ 5.9â¯V and remained stable at 6month follow-up. No complications occurred during implant or follow-up. CONCLUSION: LBB pacing for bradycardia pacing and resynchronisation therapy can be easily adopted by experienced implanters, with favourable success rates and safety profile.
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INTRODUCTION: Efficiency and safety are important features in the selection of lead extraction tools. We report our experience with different endovascular techniques to extract individual pacing and defibrillator leads. METHODS: This is a single-centre study of consecutive lead extraction procedures from 1997 until 2019. A total of 1725 leads were extracted in 775 patients. Direct traction sufficed for 588 leads, and 22 leads were primarily removed by surgery. The endovascular techniques used in the remainder were a laser sheath (190 leads), the femoral approach (717 leads) and rotating mechanical sheaths (208 leads). RESULTS: The three approaches were comparably effective in completely removing the leads (pâ¯= 0.088). However, there were more major complications with the laser sheath than with the femoral approach or rotating mechanical sheaths (8.4%, 0.5% and 1.2%, respectively). Therefore, the procedural result-extraction without major complications-was significantly better with both the femoral approach and rotating mechanical sheaths than with the laser sheath (pâ¯< 0.001). This result was confirmed after propensity score matching to compensate for differences between lead cohorts (pâ¯= 0.007). Cross-over to another endovascular tool was necessary in 7.9%, 7.1% and 8.2% of laser, femoral and rotating mechanical attempts, respectively. CONCLUSION: All three endovascular lead extraction techniques showed comparable efficacy. However, there were significantly more major complications using the laser sheath compared to the femoral approach or rotating mechanical sheaths, leading us to abandon the laser technique. Importantly, no single endovascular technique sufficed to successfully extract all leads.
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BACKGROUND: Obesity is a chronic disease and a risk factor for heart failure. In end-stage heart failure, heart transplantation may be the only available treatment option, but obesity is a contraindication for this treatment because of its unfavourable prognosis. Bariatric surgery and its subsequent weight loss may affect the indication for transplantation in patients with heart failure and morbid obesity. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 46-year-old patient with morbid obesity and heart failure underwent gastric sleeve resection in preparation of a heart transplantation. Without it, he would not have been considered eligible for transplantation because of his obesity. The bariatric intervention was also intended to use weight loss as a way to reduce the symptoms of his heart failure and to make rehabilitation possible. One year after surgery, the condition of the patient had improved so much that heart transplantation was no longer necessary. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery is safe for morbidly obese patients with severe heart failure and may sometimes even avoid heart transplantation.
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Gastrectomia/métodos , Insuficiência Cardíaca/cirurgia , Transplante de Coração , Obesidade Mórbida/cirurgia , Cuidados Pré-Operatórios/métodos , Insuficiência Cardíaca/etiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Obesidade Mórbida/complicações , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Patients with decreased left ventricular function undergoing cardiac surgery have a greater chance of difficult weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass and a poorer clinical outcome. Directly after weaning, interventricular dyssynchrony, paradoxical septal motion, and even temporary bundle-branch block might be observed. In this study, the authors measured arterial dP/dtmax, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and cardiac index using transpulmonary thermodilution, pulse contour analysis, and femoral artery catheter and compared the effects between right ventricular (A-RV) and biventricular (A-BiV) pacing on these parameters. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Single-center study. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 17 patients with a normal or prolonged QRS duration and a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with or without valve replacement. INTERVENTIONS: Temporary pacing wires were placed on the right atrium and both ventricles. Different pacing modalities were used in a standardized order. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A-BiV pacing compared with A-RV pacing demonstrated higher arterial dP/dtmax values (846 ± 646 mmHg/s v 800 ± 587 mmHg/s, p = 0.023) and higher MAP values (77 ± 19 mmHg v 71 ± 18 mmHg, p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: In patients with preoperative decreased left ventricular function undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, A-BiV pacing improve the arterial dP/dtmax and MAP in patients with both normal and prolonged QRS duration compared with standard A-RV pacing. In addition, arterial dP/dtmax and MAP can be used to evaluate the effect of intraoperative pacing. In contrast to previous studies using more invasive techniques, transpulmonary thermodilution is easy to apply in the perioperative clinical setting.
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Estimulação Cardíaca Artificial/métodos , Terapia de Ressincronização Cardíaca/métodos , Ponte Cardiopulmonar/métodos , Hemodinâmica/fisiologia , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/fisiopatologia , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/terapia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Estimulação Cardíaca Artificial/tendências , Terapia de Ressincronização Cardíaca/tendências , Ponte Cardiopulmonar/tendências , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Função Ventricular Esquerda/fisiologiaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Non response to cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) may be related to the position of the coronary sinus lead. METHODS: We studied the acute haemodynamic response (AHR) from alternative left ventricular (LV) endocardial pacing sites in clinical non-responders to CRT. AHR and the interval from QRS onset to LV sensing (Q-LV interval) from four different endocardial pacing sites were evaluated in 24 clinical non-responders. A rise in LVdP/dtmax ≥ 15 % from baseline was considered a positive AHR. We also compared the AHR from endocardial with the corresponding epicardial lead position. RESULTS: The implanted system showed an AHR ≥ 15 % in 5 patients. In 9 of the 19 remaining patients, AHR could be elevated to ≥ 15 % by endocardial LV pacing. The optimal endocardial pacing site was posterolateral. There was no significant difference in AHR between the epicardial and the corresponding endocardial position. The longest Q-LV interval corresponded with the best AHR in 12 out of the 14 patients with a positive AHR, with an average Q-LV/QRS width ratio of 90 %. CONCLUSIONS: Acute haemodynamic testing may indicate an alternative endocardial pacing site with a positive AHR in clinical non-responders. The Q-LV interval is a strongly correlated with the optimal endocardial pacing site. Endocardial pacing opposite epicardial sites does not result in a better AHR.
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Defibrillator lead advisories stir a lot of emotions, both with patients and physicians, and this may influence lead management. We reviewed the literature for a more evidence-based approach to this issue.From the complications of two of the current advisory leads, the Medtronic Sprint Fidelis and St. Jude Riata leads, and the consequences of possible interventions, we can conclude that a restrained approach to premature replacement is appropriate. It may be opportune to replace the leads during a scheduled generator replacement in case of a higher electrical failure rate, in order to prevent future premature interventions.We found no support to extract non-functional advisory leads. In contrast, extraction is often more demanding than anticipated, and the risk substantially exceeds that of simply abandoning the leads.
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In cardiac resynchronisation therapy, failure to implant a left ventricular lead in a coronary sinus branch has been reported in up to 10% of cases. Although surgical insertion of epicardial leads is considered the standard alternative, this is not without morbidity and technical limitations. Endocardial left ventricular pacing can be an alternative as it has been associated with a favourable acute haemodynamic response compared with epicardial pacing in both animal and human studies. In this paper, we discuss left ventricular endocardial pacing and compare it with epicardial surgical implantation. Ease of application and procedural complications and morbidity compare favourably with epicardial surgical techniques. However, with limited experience, the most important concern is the still unknown long-term risk of thromboembolic complications. Therefore, for now endovascular implants should remain reserved for severely symptomatic heart failure patients and patients at high surgical risk of failed coronary sinus implantation.
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Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is a rare but serious complication after pacemaker implantation. This report describes three cases of SVC syndrome treated with venoplasty and venous stenting, with an average follow-up of 30.7 (±3.1) months. These cases illustrate that the definitive diagnosis, and the extent and location of venous obstruction, can only be determined by venography.
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We present the occurrence of 'torsade de pointes' induced by the combination of peroperative fluconazole administration and sevoflurane anesthesia in a patient with 'long QT syndrome' (LQTS) scheduled for resection of a sacral abscess. Eight minutes following uneventful induction of anesthesia 'torsade de pointes' occurred, terminated by a counter shock. At this time the end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane was 2%. The fluconazole infusion was disconnected and the operation was continued. Post-operatively the patient awakened uneventfully. The direct postoperative ECG showed a QTc of 531 ms (preoperative QTc of 442 ms.) and remained prolonged afterwards. A long QT syndrome was the most likely diagnosis. LQTS is classified as either congenital or acquired. Patients with acquired LQTS may have an underlying predisposition for QT prolongation. Many drugs have shown to be associated with a prolonged QT interval (1). The syndrome in this particular patient was unmasked by sevoflurane. Concomitant administration of fluconazole might have further predisposed the patient to the development of 'torsade des pointes'. Although LQTS is relatively rare, it is important for the anesthesiologist to be familiar with the disease because of the associated morbidity and mortality and the potential for anesthesia to induce malignant arrhythmias in asymptomatic carriers.
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Abscesso/cirurgia , Anestésicos Inalatórios/efeitos adversos , Antifúngicos/efeitos adversos , Fluconazol/efeitos adversos , Síndrome do QT Longo/complicações , Éteres Metílicos/efeitos adversos , Torsades de Pointes/induzido quimicamente , Abscesso/complicações , Abscesso/tratamento farmacológico , Idoso , Eletrocardiografia/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Humanos , Sacro/cirurgia , SevofluranoRESUMO
Heart failure accounts for over five million patients in the United States alone. Many of them present dyssynchronous left ventricular (LV) contraction, whose treatment by cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is until now guided by electrocardiographic analysis. One third of the selected patients, however, does not respond to the therapy. Aiming at improving the response rate, recent studies showed the importance of left bundle branch block (LBBB) configurations. Therefore, in order to detect motion patterns that relate to LBBB, this paper presents a novel method for three-dimensional quantification of regional LV mechanical dyssynchrony. LV wall-motion analysis is performed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cines segmented by commercial software. Mutual delays between endocardial wall motion in different LV regions are estimated by cross correlation followed by phase difference analysis in frequency domain, achieving unlimited time resolution. Rather than focusing on the systolic phase, the full cardiac cycle is used to estimate the contraction timing. The method was successfully validated against MRI tagging in five dogs before and after LBBB induction. Preliminary validation in humans with 10 LBBB patients and 7 healthy subjects showed the method feasibility and reproducibility, with sensitivity and specificity in LBBB detection equal to 95.1% and 99.4%, respectively.
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Ventrículos do Coração/fisiopatologia , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , HumanosRESUMO
We describe the implantation via the femoral vein of a dual-chamber pacing system with lumenless, catheter-delivered pacing leads in a patient in whom subclavian access on both sides was obstructed. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:42-4.).
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At first sight, guidelines for implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction seem unambiguous. There are clear cut-off values for ejection fraction, and functional class. However, determination of the ejection fraction itself is not unambiguous, and other risk factors for sudden death that may have a profound effect on risk are not used for decision-making. Furthermore, to obtain a clinically significant impact on survival, expected longevity is important as it can greatly compromise the benefit in elderly patients but underestimate the long-term potential of ICD therapy in younger patients. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:107-10.).