His bundle electrogram recording using a multipolar electrode catheter via the arm veins

Abstract

In eighteen patients with atrioventricular conduction disturbance, His bundle electrograms were studied via the arm vein. A 6F Berkovits-Castellanos USCI hexapolar electrode catheter was introduced into the right atrium and looped across the tricuspid valve in a "golf club" shape. The main aim was to leave the two distal electrodes in contact with the atrial endocardium to perform atrial pacing, while displaying the other four electrodes along the superior angle of the tricuspid valve for proximal and distal His bundle recordings. His bundle electrograms were successfully obtained in all cases. The arm approach provides an alternate route whenever the femoral approach is not feasible. Moreover, the use of an hexapolar electrode catheter provides some practical advantages: 1) it enables atrial pacing to be performed, as well as proximal and distal His bundle recording to be obtained, by using the same multipolar electrode catheter; and 2) it allows long-term monitoring of His bundle potentials, in view of the stability of His bundle recordings. Finally, the arm approach could be the method of choice for the study of His bundle electrograms during leg supine exercise in selected patients.