Efficacy of a tool combining guide-wire and stylet for the left ventricular lead positioning

Procedural Success of Left Ventricular Lead Placement for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to assess the contemporary and historical success rates of transvenous left ventricular (LV) lead placement for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), their change over time, and the reasons for failure.

BACKGROUND

In selected patients, CRT improves morbidity and mortality, but the placement of the LV lead can be technically challenging.

METHODS

A literature search was used to identify all studies reporting success rates of LV lead placement for CRT via the coronary sinus (CS) route. A total of 164 studies were identified, and a meta-analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The studies included 29,503 patients: 74% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 72% to 76%) were male; their mean age was 66 years (95% CI: 65 to 67); their mean New York Heart Association functional class was 2.8 (95% CI: 2.7 to 2.9); the mean LV ejection fraction was 26% (95% CI: 25% to 28%); and the mean QRS duration was 155 ms (95% CI: 150 to 160). The overall rate of failure of implantation of an LV lead was 3.6% (95% CI: 3.1 to 4.3). The rate of failure in studies commencing before 2005 was 5.4% (95% CI: 4.4% to 6.5%), and from 2005 onward it was 2.4% (95% CI: 1.9% to 3.1%; p < 0.001). Causes of failure (reported for 39% of failures) also changed over time. Failure to cannulate and navigate the CS decreased from 53% to 30% (p = 0.01), and the absence of any suitable, acceptable vein increased from 39% to 64% (p = 0.007). The proportion of leads in a lateral or posterolateral final position (reported for 26% of leads) increased from 66% to 82% (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

The reported rate of failure to place an LV lead via the CS has decreased steadily over time. A greater proportion of failures in recent studies are due to coronary venous anatomy that is unsuitable for this technique.

[Advances in cardiac pacing]

This article contains a review of the current status of remote monitoring and follow-up involving cardiac pacing devices and of the latest developments in cardiac resynchronization therapy. In addition, the most important articles published in the last year are discussed.

How much training is required to implant and manage CRT?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The number of patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapies (CRTs) is increasing at a substantial rate. The implant, however, is not always performed effectively and the complication rates are considerable. The training and accreditation to perform CRT need to be evaluated to optimize procedural and patient outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

The relationship between higher procedural volumes and reduced procedural complications is evident and consistent across a range of surgical specialties and procedures. Present guidelines recommend that training in CRT can be achieved with five to 25 cases. The limited studies in this area suggest that this is inadequate, with complication rates of CRT reducing significantly with procedural experience well beyond 100 cases.There is increasing evidence that the development of procedural skills is dependent not only on cognitive factors, but also on a number of intrinsic visuospatial factors and fine motor dexterity. These factors can be tested objectively and the validity of adopting these techniques for the selection and training of operators is being evaluated.

SUMMARY

Ongoing evaluation of the training requirements and accreditation is required to optimize the implantation of CRT.

[Technical innovations and limitation in cardiac electrotherapy]

Coronary sinus (CS) lead positioning is one of the main determinants of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The implantation of the CS lead is faced with several technical difficulties that may prevent the achievement of a stable position and good performance of the CS lead without phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS). New developments in catheter and lead technology to overcome these difficulties are presented.