The use of balloon-tipped electrodes for permanent cardiac pacing.

Abstract

A new balloon-tipped ventricular endocardial electrode for permanent artificial cardiac pacing is described. Following transvenous insertion of the electrode to the right ventricular apex, the distal balloon is inflated with contrast material in order to wedge the electrode tip between or beneath trabeculae and prevent displacement. fifty-nine electrodes were implanted, including a second generation type incorporating a wedge tip as well as the balloon. The incidence of displacement was 17% with 10% of cases being early, and 7% late. Early in the series, 50% Urografin was used to inflate the balloon and this resulted in premature deflation and early electrode displacement in two of the nine ..