Feasibility and accuracy of pre-procedure imaging of the proximal cephalic vein by duplex ultrasonography in pacemaker and defibrillator implantation

Innovation in Permanent Pacemaker's Implantation Technique: Trans-Axillary Approach

Introduction: Permanent pacemakers’ (PPM) implantation is an integral part of electrophysiology and general cardiology. The implantation technique has evolved a lot since the first implantation. Several innovations have been undertaken to improve the effectiveness, life of the transplant, and patient outcomes. In this study, we introduced a new implantation technique to improve the procedure and possibly reduce the rate of complication.

Methods: This study was conducted from January 2016 to February 2017 in Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Patients destined for implantation of PPM based on a clinical treatment plan, after proper explanation of the procedure, were brought to the catheterization laboratory. Venogram of the upper limb performed. Patients were scrubbed and draped. The axillary vein was approached via the Seldinger technique. About 2 to 3 cm superolateral to the puncture site, a skin incision was made and subcutaneous pocket constructed, and a guidewire external end was pulled in from inside the pocket keeping the venous end at the place. Subsequently, in a routine way, lead was placed, secured and the wound was closed in layers.

Results: A total of 690 PPM were implanted under the study. About 290 devices were implanted in the conventional way and 380 devices via the trans-axillary approach. The mean implantation time was less than 30 minutes via the trans-axillary approach. Immediate and delayed complications of the procedure were minimal.

Conclusion: Trans-axillary approach holds some significant advantages over the conventional technique. The subcutaneous pocket and venous puncture successfully reduce the burden of foreign material, minimize the tension on the wound, shorten implantation time and reduce the chances of erosion of the device. 

Feasibility and safety of endovascular treatment for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in patients with multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is a recently discovered syndrome mainly due to stenoses of internal jugular (IJV) and/or azygos (AZ) veins. The present study retrospectively evaluates the feasibility and safety of endovascular treatment for CCSVI in a cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHODS

From September 2010 to October 2012, 1202 consecutive patients were admitted to undergo phlebograpy ± endovascular treatment for CCSVI. All the patients had previously been found positive at color Doppler sonography (CDS) for at least two Zamboni criteria for CCSVI and had a neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of MS. Only symptomatic MS were considered for treatment. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was carried out as an outpatient procedure at two different institutes. Primary procedures, regarded as the first balloon angioplasty ever performed for CCSVI, and secondary (reintervention) procedures, regarded as interventions performed after venous disease recurrence, were carried out in 86.5% (1037 of 1199) and 13.5% (162 of 1199) of patients, respectively. Procedural success and complications within 30 days were recorded.

RESULTS

Phlebography followed by endovascular recanalization was carried out in 1999 patients consisting of 1219 interventions. Balloon angioplasty alone was performed in 1205 out of 1219 (98.9%) procedures, whereas additional stent placement was required in the remaining 14 procedures (1.1%) following unsuccessful attempts at AZ dilatation. No stents were ever implanted in the IJV. The feasibility rate was as high as 99.2% (1209 interventions). Major complications included one (0.1%) AZ rupture occurring during balloon dilatation and requiring blood transfusion, one (0.1%) severe bleeding in the groin requiring open surgery, two (0.2%) surgical openings of the common femoral vein to remove balloon fragments, and three (0.2%) left IJV thromboses. The overall major and minor complication rates at 30 days were 0.6% and 2.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular treatment for CCSVI appears feasible and safe. However, a proper learning curve can dramatically lower the rate of adverse events. In our experience, the vast majority of complications occurred in the first 400 cases performed.

Ultrasound-Guided Venous Access for Permanent Pacemaker Leads

BACKGROUND

Existing methods of venous access for permanent pacemaker leads have disadvantages. We documented learning times for ultrasound-guided lead implantation and compared them with cephalic venotomy technique.

METHODS

Two implanters learnt ultrasound-guided technique by implanting consecutive pacemaker patients. When procedural times stabilized, we reverted to our normal cephalic approach. We measured lead placement time and screening time from skin incision until all leads were placed in superior vena cava were measured.

RESULTS

Initial strategy adopted was ultrasound for 60, then cephalic for 38 patients. There were no significant differences between groups in baseline characteristics or number of leads implanted. Lead placement and screening times were significantly shorter for ultrasound, despite inclusion of all learning cases. There was a high success rate for both strategies (88% ultrasound, 87% cephalic). There was significantly greater use of pressure dressings with ultrasound, but no difference in pocket hematoma or pneumothorax. There was a trend for more predictable lead implant times with ultrasound and fluoroscopy times were shorter and more predictable. Independent predictors of lead placement time were body mass index, operator, initial strategy (ultrasound vs cephalic), and procedure number.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided venepuncture for placement of permanent pacing leads is quick to learn and achieves faster lead placement times with shorter and more predictable fluoroscopy time when compared with the cephalic venotomy technique.

Pre-Procedure Duplex Ultrasonography to Assist Cephalic Vein Isolation in Pacemaker and Defibrillator Implantation

BACKGROUND

Difficulty in isolating the cephalic vein contributes to failed pacemaker and intracardiac cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation via the cephalic venous approach. The deltopectoral groove is used as a rough landmark, but the vein is often not found here. We evaluated the benefit of pre-procedural duplex ultrasonography in isolating the cephalic vein.

METHODS

We enrolled 80 consecutive patients undergoing new pacemaker or defibrillator implantation and performed duplex ultrasonography to localize the cephalic vein before implantation. The corresponding surface location in the infraclavicular region and the depth of the cephalic vein were identified and recorded if the vein was well visualized. Using the imaging results, we dissected the skin over the predicted location until the cephalic vein was isolated. We determined the depth and corresponding surface location of the proximal cephalic vein during surgery. Afterward, we compared localization of the vein using imaging, surgery, and the deltopectoral-groove method. The relationship between cephalic vein depth and body parameters was also evaluated after the procedure.

RESULTS

All proximal cephalic veins were successfully isolated under the assistance of pre-procedural duplex ultrasonography. When the corresponding surface locations were compared, the location depicted on sonograms was closer to the surgical finding than the location determined by using the deltopectoral-groove method (0.5 +/- 3.9 vs. 4.9 +/- 9.6 mm; P < .001). The depth of the cephalic vein derived from duplex sonograms showed excellent correlation with the surgical findings (r = 0.93, P < 0.001). The cephalic vein depth and body mass index (BMI) also showed a linear relationship with good correlation (r = 0.70, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Pre-procedural duplex ultrasonography helped in localizing the proximal cephalic vein and isolating the cephalic vein. Surface localization of the proximal cephalic vein was superior with sonography than with the deltopectoral-groove method. There was a linear relationship with good correlation between BMI and cephalic vein depth.