Lead Placement Research Articles

B-PO02-191 THE LV LEAD PLACEMENT FOR CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZATION THERAPY (CRT) BY THE FEMORAL VEIN CORONARY SINUS (CS) CANNULATION: A TECHNICAL EXTENSION

CRT is a mainstay of treatment in refractory dilated cardiomyopathy in chronic systolic heart failure and prolonged QRS duration of more than120 ms. The limiting factor for successful CRT is the CS cannulation for LV lead placement. The study aimed to assess if the femoral vein CS cannulation facilitated LV lead placement for the CRT after failed cannulation from the intended site. The study included 39 patients (17 Female) and severe non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (Table1). The left pectoral region was the preferred site for implantation. Initially, anterograde CS cannulation was attempted from the intended site. In anterograde success (48.7%), the CS cannulation was under 10 minutes. In anterograde failure (51.28%), time was over 10 minutes. The CS was cannulated doubly, initially from the right femoral vein using a steerable decapolar EP catheter. This facilitated subsequent CS cannulation and LV lead placement from the intended site. The time duration among the 19 anterograde success cases: mean = 7.2 minutes, median = 7.0 minutes, interquartile range is [6.0, 8.0]. The total duration (Table1) for LV lead placement was 42.4 ± 2.0 minutes in anterograde success, and in femoral vein facilitated (anterograde failure) technique was 37.7 ± 2.1, P<0.0001. The multivariable logistic regression model shows, age is positively associated with anterograde failure (OR and 95% CI: 1.23 (1.08, 1.40), while sodium level is negatively related to anterograde failure (OR and 95% CI: 0.37 (0.17, 0.81). The CS cannulation from the femoral vein is a possibility. CRT failure rate and fluoroscopy duration can be reduced by this method.

B-PO02-048 INCIDENCE OF PERI-PROCEDURE LEAD DISLODGEMENT IN CARDIAC RHYTHM DEVICES

As the population ages and indications for cardiac rhythm devices continue to expand, more people are receiving cardiac rhythm devices (CRD). With experienced implanters, complications associated with implantations is exceedingly rare. Micro lead dislodgement (changes in pacing parameters) and macro lead dislodgement (clear locational changes) remain a driver for repeat procedures in the perioperative, post implant period. Identify which device and lead type, as well as lead placement location, are most prone to dislodgement. A retrospective analysis performed for de novo CRD implanted at an academic, tertiary care referral center from 2014 to 2020. Lead dislodgement was categorized by both the device and lead type implanted as well as lead location. 3315 CRD and 6728 unique leads were implanted by 10 electrophysiologists. Dual chamber permanent pacemakers (DC PPM) were the most commonly implanted CRD with 1457 (44%) unique devices followed by cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) (15.5%). Macro lead dislodgement was most common in CRT-D implantations with 23 dislodgements (4.47%) out of 515 unique device implants. Implantation of a coronary sinus (CS) lead resulted in 12 dislodgements (1.44%, P-Value is < .00001) out of 835 unique CS lead implantations. Macro lead dislodgement was more common following CRT-D and CRT-P CS lead implantations, attributed to lack of fixation mechanisms with CS leads. However, rates of CS lead dislodgement were significantly less than the 10.6% reported in the literature.

B-PO02-199 CARDIAC IMPLANTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN PATIENTS WITH EBSTEIN'S ANOMALY

Patients with Ebstein’s anomaly (EA) who undergo tricuspid valve (TV) surgery may receive cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) for arrhythmias. Optimal CIED management and outcomes are unknown. To characterize CIED management and outcomes in patients with EA. Patients seen at the Mayo Clinic from 1972-2020 with EA and CIED were reviewed. Clinical, TV surgery and CIED details, complications, and lead parameters were recorded. Serial echocardiograms were reviewed for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) trends. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate cumulative incidences of CIED complications and ≥moderate grade TR. 61 patients were included; mean age was 44.0±17.8 years and 32 (52.4%) were female. 30 (49.2%) transvenous and 31 (50.8%) epicardial CIEDs; 44 (72.1%) had pacemaker and 17 (27.9%) had implantable cardioverter defibrillators. The most common indications were heart block (39.3%) and sudden cardiac death secondary prevention (27.9%). 29 (47.5%) patients received new CIED implantation (22 epicardial, 7 transvenous) at TV surgery. 20 (32.8%) patients had preexisting CIED (14 transvenous, 6 epicardial) at time of TV surgery; among those with transvenous CIEDs, 8 had lead exteriorization to the TV, 3 had extraction followed by epicardial CIED implantation, 2 had preexisting coronary sinus leads, and 1 had transmyocardial lead placement. 12 (19.7%) patients underwent CIED implantation (9 transvenous, 3 epicardial) without concurrent surgery. The most frequent CIED complications were high pacing threshold (n=4) and infection (n=3). The 5 year cumulative incidence of CIED complications was 27.6% with no significant difference between epicardial and transvenous CIEDs (31.1% vs. 25.9%, p=0.96). Having a lead traverse the TV was associated with increased risk of having ≥moderate grade TR at 5 years (57.1% vs. 5.3%, p=0.021). Stability of lead parameters including sensing and threshold was seen for both epicardial and transvenous leads. In patients with EA, epicardial and transvenous CIEDs have similar lead performance and safety, but a lead crossing the TV was associated with worse TR. Epicardial CIEDs should be considered at the time of TV surgery in patients with EA and CIED indication.

New Frontiers for Deep Brain Stimulation: Directionality, Sensing Technologies, Remote Programming, Robotic Stereotactic Assistance, Asleep Procedures, and Connectomics.

Over the last few years, while expanding its clinical indications from movement disorders to epilepsy and psychiatry, the field of deep brain stimulation (DBS) has seen significant innovations. Hardware developments have introduced directional leads to stimulate specific brain targets and sensing electrodes to determine optimal settings via feedback from local field potentials. In addition, variable-frequency stimulation and asynchronous high-frequency pulse trains have introduced new programming paradigms to efficiently desynchronize pathological neural circuitry and regulate dysfunctional brain networks not responsive to conventional settings. Overall, these innovations have provided clinicians with more anatomically accurate programming and closed-looped feedback to identify optimal strategies for neuromodulation. Simultaneously, software developments have simplified programming algorithms, introduced platforms for DBS remote management via telemedicine, and tools for estimating the volume of tissue activated within and outside the DBS targets. Finally, the surgical accuracy has improved thanks to intraoperative magnetic resonance or computerized tomography guidance, network-based imaging for DBS planning and targeting, and robotic-assisted surgery for ultra-accurate, millimetric lead placement. These technological and imaging advances have collectively optimized DBS outcomes and allowed “asleep” DBS procedures. Still, the short- and long-term outcomes of different implantable devices, surgical techniques, and asleep vs. awake procedures remain to be clarified. This expert review summarizes and critically discusses these recent innovations and their potential impact on the DBS field.

Left ventricular lead placement using inner guiding catheter alone in cardiac resynchronization therapy device implantation.

Subselection inner catheters (Inner-Cath) are used adjunctively with outer guiding catheters (Outer-Cath) during cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device implantation. This study aims to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of left ventricular lead placement (LV-LP) guided by Inner-Cath alone. A total of 74 patients undergoing de novo CRT implantation were investigated. LV-LP was initially guided by Inner-Cath in 42 patients (Inner-Cath group) and Outer-Cath in 32 patients (Outer-Cath group). In the Inner-Cath group, a 7Fr Inner-Cath was advanced to the coronary sinus through a 7 Fr sheath inserted in a subclavian vein. In the Outer-Cath group, 9Fr or 10Fr Outer-Caths were used. Success rate of LV-LP, additional use of inner or outer catheters and procedure-related complications were compared between groups. LV-LP was successful in all patients in the Inner-Cath group, while LV-LP had to be abandoned in two patients (6.3%) of the Outer-Cath group due to CS perforation caused by Outer-Cath manipulation. Procedure time was significantly shorter in the Inner-Cath group (148 vs. 168min; p=.024). Deployment of both an inner and outer cath became necessary less frequently for the Inner-Cath group (4.8% vs. 56.3%; p<.001). Mechanical CS injuries due to guiding catheter manipulation were only observed in the Outer-Cath group (0% vs. 15.6%, p=.013). LV-LP guided by Inner-Cath alone was feasible in over 95% of the patients without severe complications. This methodology for LV-LP may be preferable in CRT candidates with severe LV dysfunction in terms of shorter procedure time, smaller guiding sheath, and less procedure-related complications.

Efficacy and Safety of 10kHz Spinal Cord Stimulation Using Cervical and Thoracic Leads: A Single-Center Retrospective Experience.

IntroductionSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) with lower thoracic leads has been studied extensively. However, the evidence base for cervical SCS is less well developed, and reports of multiarea SCS lead placement are uncommon. Therefore, this single-center retrospective study evaluated outcomes from 10-kHz SCS with cervical or combined cervical and thoracic lead placement.MethodAll patients that underwent a 10-kHz SCS trial with either cervical or combined cervical and thoracic lead placement between 2015 and 2020 were included in our study. We reviewed patient’s charts for demographic information, lead placement, and pain scores up to 48 months after implantation.ResultsOf the 105 patients that underwent a 10-kHz SCS trial during the review period, 92 (88%) had back/neck or extremity pain that responded to therapy (≥ 50% pain relief from baseline) and received a permanent system. Sixty-two of these patients (67%) were implanted with combined cervical and thoracic leads, while 30 (33%) received cervical-only leads. Pain relief in both regions exceeded 60% at most visits throughout the 48-month study period. Throughout follow-up, the responder rate in both pain areas was consistently ≥ 70%. No unexpected adverse events occurred.ConclusionThe 10-kHz SCS provided effective and durable pain relief with either cervical or combined cervical and thoracic leads. The efficacy and safety profile of both applications appears to be comparable to lower thoracic SCS. Our results suggest that 10-kHz SCS is a useful paresthesia-free therapeutic option for chronic neuropathic pain originating in the cervical area, as well as more complex multiarea pain presentations.

Tricuspid regurgitation associated with implantable electrical device insertion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and permanent pacemaker (PPM) lead placement may worsen or result in tricuspid regurgitation (TR). While the association between lead placement and the incidence of TR has been established, current understanding of this problem remains incomplete. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to pool the existing evidence to better understand the occurrence and severity of TR associated with cardiac implantable electrical device (CIED) insertion. An electronic search was performed to identify all relevant studies published from 2000 to 2018. Overall, 15 studies were selected for the analysis comprising 4019 patients with data reported on TR development following ICD or PPM lead placement. Demographic information, perioperative clinical variables, and clinical outcome measures, including pre and postoperative echocardiographic TR grade changes, were extracted and pooled for systematic review. Mean patient age was 69 years [95% CI: 64.62-73.59], and 63% [95% CI: 57-68] were male. Devices implanted included ICD in 57% [95%CI: 43-70] and PPM in 41% [95%CI: 31-52]. The most common indications for pacemaker implantation were sick sinus syndrome in 22% [95% CI: 22-37] and AV block in 21% [95%CI:12-34. The commonest indications for ICD implantation were primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Atrial fibrillation was present in 37% [95%CI: 28-46] and congestive heart failure in 15% [95%CI: 2-57]. Baseline distribution of TR grades were as follows: grade 0/1 TR in 89% [95%CI: 82-93], grade 2 TR in 8% [95%CI: 5-13], grade 3 TR in 2% [95%CI: 0-7] and grade 4 TR in 2% [95%CI: 1-4]. Post-procedure, grade 0/ 1 TR decreased to 68% [95% CI: 51-81] (p<0.01), grade 2 TR increased to 21% [15-28] (p<0.01), grade 3 TR increased to 13% [95%CI: 5-32] (p=0.02), and grade 4 TR increased to 7% [95%CI: 5-9] (p<0.01). ICD and PPM lead placement is associated with increased TR post-procedure. Further studies are warranted to evaluate changes in TR grade in the long term.

Surgical Procedure for Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation(STN-DBS)

Recently, deep brain stimulation(DBS)of the subthalamic nucleus(STN)has emerged as the most promising surgical treatment for medically refractory Parkinson disease, with the aim of achieving precise implantation of the DBS lead into the STN. DBS lead placement is performed using stereotactic surgery, with targeting based on MR imaging. Initial targeting is performed by a combination of indirect targeting based on the Schartenbrand and Wahren atlas and the direct visualization of anatomical structures on MRI. Surgical planning software is useful for target localization and simulation of the trajectory from the entry point to the target. A burr hole is placed under local anesthesia. Subsequently, the target region is physiologically explored by microelectrode recording, which is the gold standard to identify the STN. After lead placement, test stimulation is performed to assess symptom relief and to evaluate the threshold for adverse effects. Subsequently, the patient is placed under general anesthesia and the implantable pulse generator is placed in the infraclavicular subcutaneous pocket.

Initial experience using a novel nerve stimulator for the management of pudendal neuralgia.

In patients with pudendal neuralgia, prior studies have shown efficacy in chronic stimulation with Interstim® (Medtronic, Inc.). This feasibility study reports on the initial experience of using a wireless system to power an implanted lead at the pudendal nerve, StimWave®, to treat pudendal neuralgia. Retrospective chart review identified patients with a lead placed at the pudendal nerve for neuralgia and powered wirelessly. Clinical outcomes were assessed at Postoperative visits and phone calls. Administered non-validated follow-up questionnaire evaluated the Global Response Assessment, percentage of pain improvement, satisfaction with device, and initial and current settings of the device (h/day of stimulation). Thirteen patients had the StimWave® lead placed at the pudendal nerve, 12 (92%) female and 1 (7.6%) male. Mean age was 50 years (range: 20-58). Failed prior therapies include medical therapy (100%), pelvic floor physical therapy (92%), pudendal nerve blocks (85%), pelvic floor muscle trigger point injections (69%), neuromodulation (30.7%), or surgeries for urogenital pain (23.1%). After the trial period, 10/13 (76.9%) had >50% improvement in pain with 6/13 (46.1%) reporting 100% pain improvement. Nine underwent permanent lead placement. At last postoperative visit (range, 6-83 days), 5/9 patients reported >50% pain improvement. Seven patients reached for phone calls (22-759 days) reported symptoms to be "markedly improved" (n = 2), "moderately improved" (n = 4), or "slightly improved" (n = 1). At follow up, complications included lead migration (n = 2), broken wire (n = 1), or nonfunctioning antenna (n = 2). Complex patients with pudendal neuralgia may benefit from pudendal nerve stimulation via StimWave®.

Chronology of cardiac dysfunction after permanent pacemaker implantation: an observational 2\xa0year prospective study in North India

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to evaluate cardiac functions using transthoracic echocardiography, change in lead parameters and electrocardiogram (ECG) morphology in patients undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation over a follow-up period of 6 months.MethodsThis is a prospective study in patients undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation in a tertiary care hospital. Patients undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation were enrolled for up to one year and Echocardiographic parameters (by 2 blind operators) and ECG parameters were recorded at admission (within 24 h), before discharge (within 7 days of pacemaker implantation), after 1 month (± 7 days) and after 6 months (± 7 days) of follow-up.ResultsA total of 96 patients (60.4% males and 39.6% female, mean age 66.65 years) were implanted with permanent pacemaker. The mean QRS duration was 133.18 ms and increased significantly to 146.03 ms by 6 months despite septal lead placement in majority (92%) of patients. The mean baseline ejection fraction of 51.47 decreased significantly to 47.83 by 6 months. Diastolic parameters like left atrial volume index, early to late diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E/A) and early diastolic mitral annular tissue velocity (E/e′) showed a significant increase (> 5%) from baseline by the end of first week. By the end of first month, systolic dysfunction of RV sets in with significant (> 5%) change from baseline in parameters like Right ventricle myocardial performance index, transannular plane systolic excursion and right ventricle systolic excursion velocity (RVS′).ConclusionWe have observed that pacemaker recipients with baseline reduced left ventricle (LV) systolic functions perform significantly worse compared to those with baseline normal cardiac functions and had a higher rate of deterioration of LV function. RV dysfunction is the first abnormality that occurs, by 1 week followed by LV dysfunction which starts by 1 month and the diastolic dysfunctions precede the systolic dysfunction. QRS duration also showed a gradual increase despite septal lead placement in majority (92%) and lead parameters showed no significant change over 6 months.

Right-Sided Permanent Pacemaker Implantation in Patients with Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava with Absent Right Superior Vena Cava: 3-Case Series, Technique and Discussion

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common variant of abnormal venous return to the heart. While usually asymptomatic, it is known to complicate transvenous cardiac procedures, such as implantation of cardiac electronic devices and ablations. PLSVC can present with or without the concomitant absence of right superior vena cava (RSVC). Depending on the operator's preference, implantation of permanent cardiac pacemakers (PPMs) may be performed from the left or right side. As most often the PLSVC is only identified at the time of intervention, it follows that the variant with the absence of RSVC can be diagnosed in practice only when implanting from the right side. For this reason, the true prevalence of this variant is largely unknown because most published cases of cardiac device implantations in patients with PLSVC have been performed from the left side. We present a short 3-case series of PPM implantations in a tertiary center from the right side in patients with PLSVC and absent RSVC. We found that the use of a standard curve for ventricular lead septal placement and a wide C-curve for right atrial lead placement in these patients was a feasible technique with good outcomes.

JCS/JHRS 2019 guideline on non-pharmacotherapy of cardiac arrhythmias.

JCS/JHRS 2019 guideline on non-pharmacotherapy of cardiac arrhythmias.

Multicenter Retrospective Analysis of Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulator Placement Using Intraoperative Neuromonitoring in Asleep Patients During Early Periods of Adoption

Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) has been used in the implantation of spinal cord stimulation for both safety and confirmation of lead placement. It is less well defined in its use for dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulator placement. This is a retrospective analysis of 304 leads placed in 93 patients undergoing DRG stimulation therapy with its placement utilizing IONM in asleep patients by four implanting physicians in four separate centers. The first year, or early adoption period, of placements for each site was chosen as the included cases to evaluate. There were a total of 14 IONM alerts across the 304 lead placements. There were two complications, no permanent or severe adverse events, and no revisions. All alerts led to a change in approach as a corrective action. The two complications were a patient requiring a blood patch for an undetected CSF leak, while the other was a generator site seroma that resolved with conservative care. A single patient experienced transient calf paresthesia's in the post-operative period. This retrospective series demonstrates the utility and accuracy of IONM in not only confirming proper dorsal placement of a DRG electrode but also in maintaining a low adverse event profile. It further demonstrates that its utility in the real world with new users can be safe and accurate with an ease of integration.

A Prospective Analysis of the Use of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring for Mapping the S1 Dorsal Root Ganglion Location to Determine Ideal Lead Positioning and Predict Postoperative Programming

The location of the sacral dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is variable and can range from a location in the canal to the foramen. It is therefore imperative to not only ensure a dorsal placement but also map the location of the DRG. This is a prospective analysis of the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) being utilized in asleep patients to map the location of the S1 DRG with somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and electromyogram (EMG) thresholds, as well as comparing this with postoperative programming. These observations were then correlated with the position of the electrode contacts relative to the sacral border. It was performed in a single center with 12 lead placements in eight patients. The IONM demonstrated that EMG thresholds decrease or stay the same as you stimulate more distal on the lead. Sensory signals are generated the majority of the time either proximal or on the sacral border. Postoperative programming correlated with the mapped location of the DRG on IONM, which was either posterior or on the sacral border. There was a single lead in which the IONM confirmed DRG location on the distal contact, which was anterior to the sacral border, and also correlated with postoperative programming. This prospective analysis further demonstrates the utility and accuracy of IONM. The use of DRG IONM is reliable for confirming dorsal placement along the S1 DRG, mapping its position, and guiding postoperative programming. The S1 DRG is located at the border of the foramen and canal in most, but not all cases.

Types of left brachiocephalic vein aberrations detected during cardiac implantable electronic device implantation procedures.

Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation procedures with transvenous lead placement afford an opportunity to observe vascular anatomic variations. The course of CIED implantation depends largely on morphometric and topographic characteristics of the relevant brachiocephalic vein (BCV), which is the left BCV in the case of lead insertion via the left clavipectoral triangle. This study aims to present left BCV anomalies arising from abnormal systemic vein embryogenesis and encountered during CIED implantation. Venograms obtained during CIED implantation procedures and illustrating left BCV topography/morphometry were analysed retrospectively for two types of anomalies: anomalies of the left BCV itself (data from the period 2014-2018) and a combination of left BCV variations with a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC); since the latter instances are rare, the analysed period was longer (2003-2018). Analysis of data from the first, 5-year-long, period included data from a group of 1812 patients and revealed 5 (0.3%) cases of developmental left-BCV anomalies (3 double left BCV and 2 cases of a single subaortic left BCV). The 16-year-long analysed period included 6110 CIED implantation procedures, which showed 12 (0.2%) cases of PLSVC including 4 (33%) cases of left BCV agenesis. The analysed venograms rarely showed isolated left-BCV aberrations (0.3%), with the combination of left-BCV agenesis and PLSVC being much more common (33%). The morphometry and/or topography of aberrant left-BCV may result in difficulties during cardiac lead insertion.

A Novel High-Resolution Surface Electrocardiographic Method to Identify and Characterize Myocardial Scar: A Proof-of-Concept Study

BackgroundThe placement of the left ventricular (LV) lead in an area free of myocardial scar is an important determinant of cardiac resynchronization therapy response. We sought to develop and validate a simple, practical, and novel electrocardiographic (ECG)-based approach to intraoperatively identify the presence of LV scar. We hypothesized that there would be a reduction in the measured amplitude of the LV pacing stimulus on the skin surface using a high-resolution (HR) ECG when pacing from LV regions with scar compared with regions without scar. We term this the ECG Amplitude Signal Evaluation (EASE) method. MethodsConsecutive patients with ischemic LV systolic dysfunction and standard criteria for de novo cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation were prospectively enrolled. All underwent a preimplant contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance study to assess for scar. The average amplitude of the LV pacing impulse was sampled on HR surface ECG intraprocedurally and then compared with the cardiac magnetic resonance results. ResultsA total of 38 LV pacing sites were assessed among 13 recipients. The median voltage measured on the surface HR ECG in regions with scar was reduced by 41% (interquartile range, 17% to 63%), whereas there was no measurable change in voltage (interquartile range, 0 to 0%) in regions without scar compared with the maximal amplitude (Wilcoxon P < 0.0001). ConclusionThe EASE method appears to be of potential value as a novel intraoperative tool to guide LV lead placement to regions free of scar. Future work is required to validate the utility of this method in a larger patient cohort.

No prognostic benefit of multimodality imaging-guided left ventricular lead placement in cardiac resynchronization therapy: Long-term follow-up of the ImagingCRT study

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Aarhus University, the Danish Heart Foundation, Health Research Foundation of Central Denmark Region, and Gangstedfonden. Background Observational data indicate that left ventricular (LV) lead placement at the latest contracting region and separate from myocardial scar is associated with improved prognosis in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). In a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial (ImagingCRT), we tested the strategy of multimodality imaging-guided LV lead placement towards the latest mechanically activated non-scarred myocardial segment in CRT. Patients were included between 2011 and 2014 and allocated either to (1) imaging-guided LV lead placement using cardiac computed tomography, 99mTechnetium myocardial perfusion imaging, and speckle-tracking echocardiography (imaging group, n = 89) or to (2) routine LV lead implantation in a posterolateral region with late electrical activation (control group, n = 93). The multimodality imaging-guided strategy was found to reduce proportion of non-responders to CRT after 6 months. Impact on long-term clinical outcome is unknown. Purpose To evaluate the long-term effect of individualized multimodality imaging-guided LV lead placement compared to a routine fluoroscopic approach on the composite endpoint of death or heart failure (HF) hospitalization after CRT. Method We reviewed follow-up data until November 2020 for all 182 patients included in the ImagingCRT trial for the occurrence of HF hospitalization and all-cause death. Continuous variables are presented as median (interquartile range) or mean ± standard deviation. We used Kaplan-Meier plot and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis (unadjusted) to assess the risk of HF hospitalization and all-cause death, and used log-rank test for comparison between the two groups. Results All patients had standard CRT indication (left bundle branch block, New York Heart Association functional class II/ III/ IV 84 [46%]/ 92 [51%]/ 6 [3%], LV ejection fraction 25 ± 6%, QRS width 166 ± 22 milliseconds). Mean age was 70 ± 9 years, and 39 (21%) were female. During a median follow-up period of 6.7 years (3.3–7.9 years), the proportion of patients meeting the composite endpoint of HF hospitalization (n = 45 [25%]) or all-cause death (n = 56 [31%]) was 60% (n = 53) in the imaging group compared with 52% (n = 48) in the control group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83–1.81, p = 0.31) (Figure 1). Neither the risk of HF hospitalization (HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.62–1.99, p = 0.72) or of all-cause death differed between the two groups (HR 1.23, 95% CI 0.82–1.85, p = 0.32). Conclusion An individualized multimodality imaging-guided strategy targeting LV lead placement towards the latest mechanically activated non-scarred myocardial segment during CRT implantation did not reduce the composite outcome of HF hospitalization or all-cause death during long-term follow-up. Abstract Figure 1

Septal vs apical defibrillator electrode placement a systematic review

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background The optimal right ventricular defibrillator lead placement is still a debatable matter. We attempt to performed a systemic review to evaluate whether septal and apical placement had significant differences in the follow-up with an indication for implantation of these devices. Objective Review the evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of right ventricular apical and septal defibrillator lead placement. Methods A systemic research on MEDLINE and PUBMED with the term "septal pacing", "apical pacing" "septal defibrillation" or "apical defibrillation". 309 results were identified, however, after a serious analysis, several articles were excluded. Comparisons between apical and septal placement were performed regarding R wave amplitude, pacing threshold at 0.5 ms, lead impedance, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and lead complication that produced lead re-placement. Mean differences (MD) and confidence interval (CI) was used as a measurement of treatment. Results Six studies were selected, including a total of 2180 patients. The studies were performed with different techniques, analyses and goals. The studies presented heterogeneous and diverse results, with a varied follow-up period, that resulted in the exclusion of one of the studies. Mean age 64.51 years old, 76.86% male, a median ejection fraction of 27.84%, NYHA class of 2.65, ischemic etiologic in 51.10% and a follow-up period of 26.49 months. Septal defibrillator lead placement was established in 772 patients, while the apical defibrillator lead placement was performed in 1399 patients. No differences regarding the lead performance on apical and septal placement were detected regarding the R-wave (MD -0.36, CI -0.75 - +0.03, p = 0.68, I2 = 0%) (reported in 3 studies) and lead impedance (MD -23.83, CI -51.36 - +3.69, p = 0.003, I2 = 82%) (reported in 3 studies). Pacing threshold seems to be favor a septal defibrillator lead implantation (MD -0.05, CI -0.09 - -0.02, p = 0.12, I2 = 53%) (reported in 3 studies). Concerning echocardiography parameters during the follow up period, LVEF (MD -0.83, CI -3.05 - +1.38, p = 0.10, I2 = 57%) (reported in 3 studies) and LVEDD (MD -0.51, CI -2.13 - +1.10, p = 0.20, I2 = 38%) (reported in 3 studies) were not significant influenced for the defibrillator lead placement. Lead complications that provoke a lead replacement was not significant between the lead placement (MD 1.25, CI 0.53 – 2.94, p = 0.71, I2 = 0%) (reported in 3 studies). Conclusions Just pacing threshold proved to improve the septal defibrillator lead placement. Neither the other lead parameters or the echocardiography results during the follow-up were influenced by the lead placement. For a definitive conclusion is important to further investigation.

Direct capture of the left bundle branch compared to left bundle branch area pacing deteriorates interventricular synchrony but improves left ventricular lateral wall depolarization duration

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): This paper was supported by the Charles University Research Centre program No. UNCE/MED/002 and 260530/SVV/2020 Background Direct and indirect pacing of the left bundle branch are novel pacing techniques preserving LV synchrony. Aim of the study was to compare differences in ventricular activation between them using an UHF-ECG. Methods The left septal lead placement was done in 68 patients with bradycardia. Four distinct ventricular captures were described; nonselective LBBp (nsLBBp), selective LBBp (sLBBp), paraLBBp and left bundle branch area capture (LBBap). The timings of local ventricular activations and local depolarization durations were displayed by the UHF-ECG. e-DYS was calculated as a difference between the first and last activation. Results There were 35 nsLBBp, 21 paraLBBp, 12 sLBBp and 96 LBBap obtained in 68 patients. The nsLBBp compared to LBBap caused worse interventricular synchrony (e-DYS -23 ms (-28;-18) vs -12 ms (-17;-8), p &amp;lt; 0.001), but improved LV lateral wall depolarization duration. The sLBBp, nsLBBp and paraLBBp differed in e-DYS; -31 ms (-38;-24) vs -23 ms (-28;-17) vs -13 ms (-20;-7), p &amp;lt; 0.01 between each of them. Their left ventricular depolarization durations were the same, but they were longer when pacing resulted in the left axis deviation. If the direct capture of the LBB was not confirmed (LBBap), LV depolarization duration was deteriorated irrespective of the QSR morphology in the V1 or RWPT in the V5. Examples of UHF-ECG maps during LBBap, paraLBBp and nsLBBp are shown in Figure 1. Conclusions The direct capture of the left bundle branch deteriorates interventriclar synchrony but improves the depolarization duration of the left ventricular lateral wall compared to left ventricular myocardial septal pacing. Abstract Figure 1

Lead Migration in Neuromodulation

We describe a simple technique of securing surgically implanted leads for spinal cord (SCS), dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and occipital nerve stimulation (ONS), for both primary surgical implantation and correcting lead migration. This technique could also be adapted for securing percutaneously implanted leads. Thirty-nine patients underwent neurosurgical implantation of SCS, DRG, and ONS devices utilizing titanium mini-plates to obtain secure anchorage of leads to adjacent laminae close to their exit point from the epidural space, thereby minimizing the risk of further lead migration or electrode displacement. There were no cases of primary or recurrent lead migration in any patient undergoing lead placement using mini-plate anchorage. The technique appears to offer a reliable means of preventing post-operative lead migration in a variety of spinal and extra-cranial neuromodulation implants.