Prophylactic epicardial left ventricular lead implantation for biventricular pacing during operations

Abstract

Background Surgical epicardial left ventricular (LV) lead implantation for biventricular pacing has advantages over the transvenous approach in cardiac surgical patients. We investigated the benefit of concomitant prophylactic LV lead implantation during open heart operations and subsequent lead performance after patients with impaired LV function receive a biventricular device. Methods Retrospective data of 4,844 patients undergoing cardiac operations through a sternotomy between January 2001 and December 2011 were analyzed. Of these, 380 patients (7.8%) had severe impairment of LV function (contrast left ventriculogram showing grade 4 estimated ejection fraction or echocardiogram showing L..