Complications of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Previous clinical studies have suggested that patients with congestive heart failure and intraventricular conduction delay could benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Implantation of left ventricular lead is a complex procedure with some potential for complications. This study was conducted to analyse the complications of CRT in patients with congestive heart failure. METHODS: Totally 117 patients, 86 males and 31 females, mean age of 53 years, with congestive heart failure and intraventricular conduction delay were enrolled in this study. Venography was performed on all patients. Different types of coronary sinus leads were used to pace the left ventricle. RESULTS: Left ventricular lead was attempted to implant through coronary sinus for all the 117 patients and was successfully implanted in 111 patients. The success rate was 94.9%. Main complications rate was 6.8%, including coronary sinus dissection in 4 patients, phrenic nerve stimulation required lead repositioning in 2 patients and lead dislodgement in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible and safe to pace left ventricle through coronary sinus. However, there are some procedural complications.