Pacing in adults with congenital heart disease

Transvenous pacing in complex post-operative congenital heart disease guided by angiography: A case report

Transvenous pacing in patients with postoperative complex congenital heart disease (CHD) can be challenging and pose technical challenges to lead placement because of the complex anatomy, distortions produced by the surgical procedures, and the altered relationship of cardiac chambers. We describe the utility of angiography for transvenous dual chamber pacemaker implantation in a post-operative complex congenital heart disease.

Performance of steroid eluting bipolar epicardial leads in pediatric and congenital heart disease patients: 15 years of single center experience

Objective

Cardiac pacing is sometimes required for patients with congenital heart disease for various reasons. Because of complex anatomy, repetitive previous heart surgery and patient size, epicardial leads are of special importance in these patients. Using epicardial leads has been discussed controversly regarding pacing performance and lead survival. The aim of this study was to review the long-term data on pacing performance as well as lead survival of epicardial leads implanted in our center.

Methods

Retrospective chart review and review of the literature.

Results

82 consecutive pediatric patients or adult patients with congenital heart disease with 158 epicardial leads (Medtronic 4968, bipolar, steroid - eluting) were included. We found 1.2% pacemaker-related early postoperative complications. The incidence of lead dysfunction was 7.5% (12/158) for primary (i.e. directly related to the lead itself) lead dysfunction and 3.2% (5/158) of lead abandonment for reasons not directly related to the lead itself. Primary lead dysfunction occured after a median of 3.83 years. Lead survival at 2, 5 and 10 years was 98.7%, 93% and 92.4%. There were no infections reported. Stable median measurements for impedance (RA/RV/LV of 577/483/610 Ohm), sensing threshold (RA/RV/LV of 2.0/11.0/10.0 mV) and pacing threshold (RA/RV/LV of 0.75 V at 0.4 ms/1.0 V at 0.49 ms/1.0 V at 0.45 ms) indicated a good mid- to longterm performance. The only risk factor for primary lead dysfunction was young age at implantation.

Conclusion

The use of epicardial leads in pediatric and adult patients with congenital heart disease shows good longterm outcomes in terms of pacing performance and lead survival. The authors encourage using epicardial leads in patients with congenital heart disease based on the patient‘s individual characteristics.

Pediatric pacemakers and ICDs: how to optimize perioperative care

An increasing number of pediatric patients with permanent pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) require cardiac and noncardiac surgery. It is critical that the anesthesiologist caring for these patients understands the management of the device and the underlying heart disease. Children with these devices are more vulnerable to lead failure and inappropriate shocks compared with the adult population. Preoperative assessment and appropriate reprogramming of the device, in addition to minimizing sources of electromagnetic interference, are keystones in the perioperative care of these patients. Prior consultation with qualified programmers is recommended to enable timely optimization of the device. Magnets may be used in emergency situations but it is important to appreciate the limitations of magnet use on different models of pacemakers and ICDs. Safe and successful perioperative care is dependent upon a well-organized and coordinated multidisciplinary team approach.

Epicardial versus endocardial permanent pacing in adults with congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND

Permanent pacing (PM) in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) presents unique challenges-with little known about the long-term outcomes.

METHODS

Pacemaker complications and reinterventions were reviewed over a 38-year period and were grouped by epicardial or endocardial approaches.

RESULTS

The average age at intervention was 37 ± 19 years for 106 patients and 259 PM procedures were performed (2.4 ± 2 per patient). From the first PM procedure, patients were followed for 11.6 ± 14 years. The most common indications for initial PM intervention were heart block (25%) and sinus node dysfunction (20%), yet reintervention was driven primarily by lead failure (49%). Endocardial systems were initially implanted in 73 patients (67%). Epicardial pacing was more common in patients with complex CHD (p = 0.006), cyanosis (p < 0.001), residual shunts (0.01), or Ebstein's anomaly (p = 0.01). Fifty-one devices (28%) developed lead or generator complications. Epicardial systems were most likely to develop lead failure (p < 0.0001), predominantly in the ventricular lead (p < 0.0001). Endocardial systems were found to be more durable than the epicardial systems (p = 0.023), and Ebstein's anomaly or an epicardial system was an independent predictor of lead failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Permanent pacing in CHD is associated with considerable morbidity and the need for repeat intervention, especially in those with Ebstein's anomaly. Epicardial pacing systems appear to have a higher incidence of lead failure and are significantly less durable in this group.

Pacemaker and defibrillator therapy in pediatrics and congenital heart disease

Pacemakers and defibrillators have a growing use in pediatrics and in patients with congenital heart disease, but they present unique problems and implications for their implantation and follow-up. Congenital and surgically acquired rhythm disturbances are common, but the efficacy of device therapy is not well established in these patient groups. The diversity and complexity of pediatric patients and congenital heart disease make device management a highly individualized art. There are technical issues related to device implantation that have necessitated novel approaches to using leads and device that were not designed with children specifically in mind. The current guidelines and indications for implantable device therapy for children and congenital heart disease are reviewed, as well as some of the specific limitations and problems encountered.