Transcutaneous cardiac pacing

Transvenous cardiac pacing is currently the pacing procedure of choice in patients with severe, life-threatening bradyarrhythmias that do not respond to pharmacotherapy. However, pacing catheters can be difficult to insert and frequently fail to capture in severely hypotensive patients. Therefore, there has been a recent resurgence of interest in external pacing methods. Newer transcutaneous cardiac pacing units are easy to apply and especially suited for unconscious patients with severe, life-threatening bradyarrhythmias. There is no operator danger and, if need be, cardiopulmonary resuscitation can continue while the electrodes are in place and the unit is operating. Human and animal studies to date have shown that there are no significant short-term clinical hazards or pathologic abnormalities when using this technique.     

Evaluation of fractal-coated temporary pacing leads in the early postoperative course

Background: The performance of temporary pacing wires is still limited by capture and sensing problems. Fractal coating can enhance electrical properties and reliability. We therefore investigated fractal-laminated wires in comparison with conventional wires.
Methods: In 21 patients two unipolar, fractal-coated pacing wires (fe) and one conventional bipolar electrode (se) were implanted in ventricular position. Afterward pacing threshold (V), R-wave sensing (mV), lead impedance (ohm), and slew-rate (mV/s) were measured. Loss of capture or sensing and dislocation was documented. fe wires were examined with energy dispersive x-ray diffraction (EDX)-analysis and scanning electrode microscopy (SEM).
Results: Failure in pacing was less frequent in fe wires. Also fe leads had lower pacing thresholds at implantation (0.76 ± 0.15 V vs 1.51 ± 0.95 V, P< 0.0001) and afterward. Furthermore fe wires showed lower increase of pacing threshold/time (0.25 V/day vs 0.42 V/day). R-wave sensing and slew-rate values in the fe group on day of operation (5.81 ± 4.80 mV; 0.63 ± 0.71 V/s) were lower than in the se group (10.37 ± 6.89 mV; 1.85 ± 1.71 V/s P< 0.0001) and afterward. Nevertheless, decrease of amplitude/time was lower in fe wires (0.17mV/day vs 0.46 mV/day). fe wires always had lower impedance values.
Conclusions: Lower pacing threshold and increase of threshold/time in fe wires indicate more reliable function. Initial lower sensitivity values are still not understandable and must be investigated. However, fe wires, constancy of sensing and impedance values was more stable, so fe epicardial wires can be recommended for safe and feasible use.     

Underestimation of pacing threshold as determined by an automatic ventricular threshold testing algorithm

In this case report, we describe markedly different pacing thresholds determined by a manual threshold test and the automatic Ventricular Capture Management algorithm. The discrepancy in pacing threshold values reported was due to the difference in the AV intervals used with the different testing methods. We propose that the differences in right ventricular dimensions with altered diastolic filling periods affected the threshold in this patient with a new passive fixation lead in the right ventricular apex.     

Pathological aspects of transcutaneous cardiac pacing

Although electrical energy has the potential to produce myocardial injury, the risk of tissue damage from transcutaneous cardiac pacing is largely unknown. This study reports the anatomical findings of a canine transcutaneous stimulation study. Ten dogs had 100-mA, 20-msec (pulse duration), transcutaneous impulses delivered across the thorax for 30 minutes at a rate of 80 stimuli per minute. Seventy-two hours later the animals were sacrificed, and the heart, lungs, and tissues of the chest wall were examined for pathological changes. Gross and microscopic lesions consistent with electrically induced myocardial damage were found in all hearts examined. These lesions included myocardial pallor and focal myofibril coagulation necrosis in the right ventricular outflow tract and perivascular microinfarcts in the posterior left ventricular myocardium. These lesions were not extensive; less than 5% of the right ventricular free wall and less than 1% of the left ventricular posterior wall were involved. Lesions of this extent would not be expected to cause clinically detectable changes in cardiovascular status. Short-term use of transcutaneous pacing appears to be safe. Determination of the potential for clinically significant injury with long-term use requires further study.     

Electrocardiographic patterns during: pacing the great cardiac and middle cardiac veins

BACKGROUND: The electrocardiogram (ECG) patterns during pacing from the great cardiac vein (GCV) and the middle cardiac vein (MCV) are not well known. METHODS: We recorded 12-lead ECGs during GCV and MCV pacing in 26 patients undergoing implantation of a cardiac resynchronization device. The left ventricular (LV) lead was passed down the GCV (n = 19) or MCV (n = 7) prior to moving it to a lateral or posterolateral vein for permanent implantation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Pacing within the GCV resulted in a left bundle branch block (LBBB) morphology with no or minimal R-wave in V(1) in 14 patients and a right bundle branch block (RBBB) pattern (R > S in lead V(1)) in four patients. In one patient, lead V1 during GCV pacing was isoelectric (R = S). A more distal pacing site in the GCV yielded a LBBB pattern in all the patients. All leads placed in the MCV resulted in a LBBB configuration. An ECG pattern with a RBBB pattern was invariably recorded during LV pacing in 125 consecutive outpatients with biventricular pacemakers and LV leads in the posterolatral and lateral coronary veins. Knowledge of the ECG patterns from various pacing sites in the coronary venous system may be helpful for troubleshooting all types of pacing systems, especially those where the coronary venous pacing site is unintentional.     

External cardiac pacing for out-of-hospital bradyasystolic arrest

Cardiac pacing has been used successfully in patients with asystole or bradycardia compromising hemodynamics when it was applied soon after the onset of the event. An external cardiac pacemaker was used as part of initial resuscitative efforts for patients in primary, out-of-hospital, cardiac arrest who arrived in the emergency department in asystole, agonal rhythm, pulseless idioventricular rhythm, or bradycardia with hemodynamic compromise. A pulse was successfully generated in only one of twelve patients. That patient developed complete atrioventricular dissociation while in the emergency department. The nonresponding patients were in asystole or pulseless idioventricular rhythm when the pacemaker was applied. Pacing was initiated 1-13 minutes (mean 7 minutes) after arrival in the emergency department, but 27-90 minutes (mean 59 minutes) after arrest. The interval between arrest and application of the pacemaker was prolonged because of long periods for ambulance response, field resuscitation, and transport. It is concluded that the external cardiac pacemaker is a useful instrument for the treatment of bradyarrhythmias. While it may also be useful in the first few minutes after development of asystole, pulseless idioventricular rhythm, or agonal rhythm, it is of no benefit if applied long after the event.     

Permanent cardiac pacing for severe pallid breath-holding spells

We report the case of an infant affected by frequent episodes of loss of consciousness with the clinical features of pallid breath-holding attacks. Prolonged asystole, up to 26 seconds, was demonstrated by Holter monitoring. The patient was treated with permanent pacemaker implantation, followed by complete symptom resolution during a 26-month follow-up.     

Ocular pneumoplethysmography in cardiac pacing

Variations in ocular blood flow (OBF) reflect variations in cardiac stroke output very closely. The use of ocular pneumoplethysmography (OPG-Gee) for the measurement of OBF is a simple, noninvasive method of assessing the hemodynamics of ventricular versus atrioventricular sequential pacing.     

右心室起搏比例和不同部位起搏对老年患者心功能的影响

目的：探讨右心室起搏比例和不同部位起搏对老年患者心功能的影响。方法回顾性分析92例植入体内埋藏式双腔心脏起搏器（DDD）的老年患者的临床资料,根据术后1年起搏器程控仪获取的右心室起搏比例,将右心室起搏比例≥50%患者纳入A组,右心室起搏比例＜50%患者纳入B组,比较两组术前和术后1年彩色多普勒心脏超声的变化。同时,将A组分为右室心尖部（RVA）起搏者和右室间隔部（RVS）起搏者进行亚组分析。结果 A组术后1年左房内径（LAD）较术前增大,左室射血分数（LVEF）较术前和B组降低,差异均有统计学意义（t分别=2.43、4.20、6.37,P均＜0.05）;B组术后1年LAD、左室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）、LVEF和术前比较,差异均无统计学意义（t分别=0.73、0.78、1.16,P均＞0.05）。亚组分析结果显示两亚组术前LAD、LVEDD、LVEF比较,差异均无统计学意义（t分别=0.77、0.35、1.32,P均＞0.05）,两组术后LVEDD、LVEF比较,差异均有统计学意义（t分别=2.86、4.62,P均＜0.05）,RVS组术后LAD、LVEDD、LVEF与术前比较,差异均无统计学意义（t分别=1.45、0.14、0.48,P均＞0.05）;而RVA组术后LAD、LVEDD均较术前明显扩大,LVEF较术前明显下降（t分别=2.20、3.13、4.31,P均＜0.05）。结论老年患者中右室间隔部起搏与右室心尖部起搏相比更有利于保持患者心功能的稳定,但同时应尽量减少不必要的右心室起搏。     

Doppler echocardiography and cardiac pacing

There is a need for a non-invasive method to evaluate the hemodynamic consequences of pacing. The value of Dop pler echocardiography in assessing relative changes in stroke volume and cardiac output is reviewed. We present preliminary observations illustrating the potential value of Doppler echocardiography in cardiac pacing. (PACE, Vol. 5, July-August, 1982)     

Intra- and interatrial conduction delay: implications for cardiac pacing

Atrial conduction disorders are frequent in elderly subjects and/or those with structural heart diseases, mainly mitral valve disease, hyperthrophic cardiomyopathies, and hypertension. The resultant electrophysiological and electromechanical abnormalities are associated with a higher risk of paroxysmal or persistent atrial tachyarrhythmias, either atrial fibrillation, typical or atypical flutter or other forms of atrial tachycardias. Such an association is not fortuitous because intra- and interatrial conduction abnormalities delays disrupt (spatial and temporal dispersion) electrical activation, thus promoting the initiation and perpetuation of reentrant circuits. Preventive therapeutic interventions induce variable, sometimes paradoxical effects as with the proarrhythmic effect of class I antiarrhythmic drugs. Similarly, atrial pacing may promote proarrhythmias or an antiarrhythmic effect according to the pacing site(s) and mode. Multisite atrial pacing was conceived to correct, as much as possible, abnormal activation induced by spontaneous intra- or interatrial conduction disorders or by single site atrial pacing, which are situations responsible for commonly refractory arrhythmias. Atrial electrical resynchronization can also be used to correct mechanical abnormalities like left heart AV dyssynchrony resulting from intraatrial conduction delays.     

The Complexity of the His Bundle: Understanding Its Anatomy and Physiology through the Lens of the Past and the Present

In this paper, we describe the anatomy and physiology of the His bundle and describe the mechanisms by which permanent His‐bundle pacing can be accomplished.     

Robotic implantation of a multichamber cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator

Transvenous implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) may not be feasible due to anatomic constraints. One of the most notable advances in minimal-access heart surgery has been the introduction of robotic telemanipulation systems. We present a challenging case in which a CRT-D system was implanted using a robotic approach. Feasibility of such an approach expands the horizons for delivery of CRT-D therapy.     

Transthoracic pacing in cardiac asystole

A total of 139 patients had transthoracic pacemakers introduced via a subxiphoid approach for asystole during advanced CPR in the emergency department of a large urban teaching hospital over a calendar year. Two groups were examined retrospectively, A) 34 patients who presented asystolic, and B) 99 patients who presented with ventricular fibrillation that became asystole. Age, sex, and etiologies for cardiac arrest were similar in both groups; there were no survivors. The mean duration of asystole before pacemaker insertion was 4 min (group A) to 7 min (group B). Temporary electrical capture was obtained in six patients from group B, but electrical-mechanical association could not be achieved in any of these patients.     

Latency during left ventricular pacing from the lateral cardiac veins: a cause of ineffectual biventricular pacing

We report three patients with cardiomyopathy and pronounced stimulus to QRS latency during left ventricular (LV) pacing from an epicardial cardiac vein. Delayed LV activation during simultaneous biventricular pacing produced an electrocardiographic pattern dominated by right ventricular stimulation. Hemodynamic parameters improved immediately after advancing LV stimulation (in one patient) or pacing the LV only (in two patients) coupled with dramatic improvement of heart failure symptoms.     

Emergency guide wire pacing: new methods for rapid conversion of a cardiac catheter into a pacemaker

We developed a new electrode to convert rapidly a previously inserted pulmonary artery or left ventricular catheter into a pacemaker. One method of doing this is by withdrawal of the pulmonary artery catheter from the pulmonary artery to the right ventricle by pressure control, and a Teflon-coated guide wire, stripped of 5 mm of insulation at its tip, is advanced through the catheter to contact the endocardium. In the second method, the pacing electrode is advanced through the distal lumen of the catheter while it is positioned within the pulmonary artery and withdrawn into the right ventricle while pacing. Finally, a third Method involves advancement of the guide wire electrode into the left ventricle through a pigtail catheter. To pace, the guide wire electrode is connected to the cathode of a pacemaker referenced to a skin electrode. We paced 10 of 10 right heart cardiac catheterization, intra- and postoperative surgery patients by methods 1 and 2, and 4 of 4 left heart catheterization patients by method 3. Thresholds (mean ± SEM) for guide wire pacing were: right ventricle 1.52 ± 0.4 mA; left ventricle 1.33 ± 0.1 mA. Guide wire pacing is rapid, reliable, and requires little operator skill. Our indications for guide wire pacing are: 1) emergency right ventricular pacing in operative or intensive care unit patients with unexpected bradyarrhythmias who have an indwelling pulmonary artery catheter; and 2) emergency left ventricular pacing in left heart cardiac catheterization patients with contrast-induced bradyarrhythmias.     

Physiologic pacing: new modalities and pacing sites

Right ventricular (RV) apical pacing impairs left ventricular function by inducing dys-synchronous contraction and relaxation. Chronic RV apical pacing is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, morbidity, and even mortality. These observations have raised questions regarding the appropriate pacing mode and site, leading to the introduction of algorithms and new pacing modes to reduce the ventricular pacing burden in dual chamber devices, and a shift of the pacing site away from the RV apex. However, further investigations are required to assess the long-term results of pacing from alternative sites in the right ventricle, because long-term results so far are equivocal. The potential benefit of prophylactic biventricular, mono-chamber left ventricular, and bifocal RV pacing should be explored in selected patients with a narrow QRS complex, especially those with impaired left ventricular function. His bundle pacing is a promising and evolving technique that requires improvements in lead technology.     

DDD模式下右心室心尖部起搏与右心室流出道间隔部起搏的临床对比研究

目的 DDD模式下比较右心室心尖部（RVA）起搏与右心室流出道（RVOT）间隔部起搏对患者左心室重构及心功能的影响。方法回顾性分析2009年1月至2012年12月期间我院行永久起搏器（双腔DDD）植入治疗的患者219例,根据心室电极植入部位的不同分为A组（RVA起搏）、B组（RVOT起搏）,每组再根据患者术前左心室射血分数（LVEF）的不同分为两个亚组。调取患者12个月的随访资料,分析两组患者术后LVEF、左心房内径（LAD）、左心室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）及起搏治疗前后各项起搏参数、起搏QRS波群时限和术后并发症等。结果两组在手术成功率、术后并发症等方面的比较无显著差异。术后12个月,A组起搏阈值、电极阻抗较术中均有回落,LVEF较术前降低,LAD、LVEDD较术前增大,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;B组电极阻抗较术中有回落（P〈0.05）,起搏阈值、R波振幅与术中比较差异无统计学意义,LVEF、LAD、LVEDD与术前相比差异无统计学意义。B组的起搏QRS波群时限较A组显著缩短[（145.09±4.96）ms vs.（157.40±12.44）ms,P〈0.01]。对亚组进行分析发现：术前LVEF≥50%的患者,A、B两组仅LVEDD较术前有增大（P〈0.05）,LVEF和LAD与术前相比差异无统计学意义。术前LVEF〈50%的患者,A组患者的LVEF较术前降低,LAD、LVEDD较术前增大,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,而B组患者的LVEF、LAD、LVEDD与术前比较差异无统计学意义。结论运用主动固定电极行RVOT起搏在临床应用中是安全、可行的。经过12个月的起搏治疗,对术前心功能不全的患者,RVOT起搏能提供接近生理性的心室激动顺序,维持心室肌电-机械活动同步化,对患者心功能的损害小;对术前心功能正常的患者,虽然RVOT起搏提供了更为协调的心室收缩,但在保护患者左心室收缩功能及阻止左心室重构方面并未显示出优于RVA起搏的证据。     

临时心脏起搏在急性中毒并严重缓慢心律失常的疗效研究

目的 探讨在临时心脏起搏术支持下对急性中毒并严重缓慢心律失常进行中毒抢救的,临床意义.方法 对38例急性中毒并严重缓慢心律失常患者在急诊救治过程中随机采用临时心脏起搏器治疗(起搏组,18例)和药物治疗(对照组,20例),再进行解毒治疗.结果 起搏组18例经床旁临时心脏起搏术右心室起搏成功并置入临时心脏起搏器,配合解毒治疗措施后心律失常改善有效率为100%,而对照组为60%,2组比较差异有统计学意义(x2=19.7,P<0.01).中毒治愈率起搏组为88.9%,对照组为65.0%,2组比较差异有统计学意义(x2=8.2,P<0.05).结论 床旁临时心脏起搏术在抢救急性中毒并严重缓慢性心律失常患者的疗效确切,能有效提高患者的抢救成功率.     

心脏临时起搏在老年患者围手术期中的应用及护理

目的总结心脏临时起搏在老年患者围手术期中应用的护理经验。方法回顾分析21例老年围手术期患者应用心脏临时起搏器的护理,包括心理护理、术中配合、术后心率、心律监测及临时起搏器的护理等。结果 21例床边安置临时起搏器均获得成功,手术顺利完成,18例术后3 d内去除起搏电极后自主心率恢复良好,3例出现起搏器依赖, 须安置永久起搏器。结论术前加强心理护理,取得患者配合,术中根据患者年龄特点做好起搏频率及起搏阈的调节,术后加强心率、心律监测及临时起搏器的护理等是确保起搏器有效工作、使手术顺利完成的关键。