Experience with coronary sinus lead implantations for cardiac resynchronization therapy in 244 patients

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) using coronary sinus (CS) leads is a new method for the therapy of congestive heart failure (CHF). Because the intervention is more complex than regular pacemaker implantations, information on the feasibility and side effects of this method are of interest.

From 1999 to June 2005, CRT implantations were attempted in 244 patients (pts; mean age 64+/-12 years, range 14-90 years), 82% were male, 44% had coronary artery disease, 29% were in atrial fibrillation, 71 had preexisting pacemakers.

In 97% of the pts the intervention was successful (27% of the systems with defibrillation capabilities). In 285 interventions, 255 CS leads were positioned according to CS vein anatomy in 130 posterolateral, 97 anterolateral and 28 anterior side branches (16 patients received 2 CS leads). Over-the-wire leads were used in 88%, 71% were additionally preshaped. We observed no mortality but 37 complications (12.5%): CS dissection in 9, CS perforation in 1, ventricular fibrillation in 4, asystole in 5, pulmonary edema in 1, pneumothorax in 2, need for early CS lead revision in 19 (dislodgement n=7, phrenic nerve stimulation n=12) and infection with explantation in 2 cases. An improvement in NYHA functional class was found in 88% of pts (only 55% if anterior lead position).

Perioperative complications during CS lead implantation occur in 10-15% of cases. Most patients responded well to CRT. Patients should be informed about the possible need for a reoperation. During implantation, immediate defibrillation and stimulation capabilities must be available. Anterior lead positions should be avoided.