Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Testing the Efficacy of Pharmacological Agents in a Pericardial Target Delivery Model in the Swine
Published on: July 7, 2016
Management of phrenic nerve stimulation caused by epicardial pacemaker leads in children
Winfield J Wells1, Anjan S Batra
1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. wwells@chla.usc.edu
Abstract:
To find a suitable site with good sensing and low pacing thresholds, it may be necessary to place an epicardial pacemaker lead in close proximity to the phrenic nerve. To prevent phrenic stimulation, a silastic patch can be sewn over the area of the pacing electrode to shield it from the nerve. This simple technique prevents diaphragm contraction and has not interfered with long-term pacemaker lead function.
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management
Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation III: AED Use
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

