A comparison between conventional and basket transvenous electrodes

Three transvenous electrodes, two of a conventional type and one in the shape of a wire basket, were compared. In order to make a valid comparison, the electrodes were all attached to the same kind of lead. The conventional large and small surface electrodes showed no difference in early complication rate. The wire basket electrode, however, had significantly fewer early complications than the others. This was true whether the patients underwent a two- or a one-step procedure, and whether the surgery was done by experienced or inexperienced pacemaker surgeons. When inserted by experienced surgeons in a one-step procedure, the wire basket electrodes had an early complication rate of only 1.2%. Since this unrefined electrode that allows tissue ingrowth for improved anchoring has shown such good results, it is likely that other electrodes that have been perfected, of a hollow or porous design, will also be advantageous to the patients and show good results.