Evaluation of a new design pulmonary artery catheter for intraoperative ventricular pacing

A new design pulmonary artery catheter and pacing probe were evaluated in 30 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Ventricular pacing was attempted before, during, and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Ventricular current threshold, output, resistance, and R wave sensitivity were measured during all three periods. Successful pacing was achieved in 69 of 72 attempts, the vast majority completed in less than four minutes. Pacing thresholds and R wave sensitivities were within acceptable ranges and compatible with commercial pulse generators. Ventricular pacing can be quickly and reliably established with this type of pacing pulmonary artery catheter. The results suggest this system can be used to effect cardiac pacing in the patient requiring emergency extrinsic pacemaker support.