Transcoronary pacing in an animal model : Second coated guidewire versus cutaneous patch as indifferent electrodes

Transcoronary pacing is a seldom used treatment option for unheralded bradycardias in the setting of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). In the present study we compared a coated guidewire inserted proximally into a coronary artery with a cutaneous patch electrode as indifferent electrodes for transcoronary pacing in a porcine model.

Transcoronary pacing was investigated in 7 adult pigs in an animal catheterization laboratory. A standard guidewire insulated by a monorail-balloon was advanced into the periphery of a coronary artery serving as the cathode. As the indifferent anode, a special guidewire with electrical insulated by a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating was positioned into the proximal part of the same coronary vessel. Transcoronary pacing parameters (threshold and impedance data and the magnitude of the epicardial electrogram) were compared with unipolar transcoronary pacing using a cutaneous patch electrode.

Transcoronary pacing was successful against both indifferent electrodes. Pacing thresholds obtained with the coated guidewire technique (1.8 ± 1.3 V) were similar to those obtained by standard unipolar transcoronary pacing with a cutaneous patch electrode (1.8 ± 1.5 V). The impedance with the additional coated guidewire was 419 ± 144 Ω and thereby slightly higher compared to 320 ± 103 Ω obtained by pacing against the patch electrode (p < 0.05). Both settings yielded comparable R‑wave amplitudes (8.0 ± 5.1 mV vs. 7.1 ± 3.6 mV).

A second coated guidewire is as effective as a cutaneous patch electrode when added as an indifferent electrode in transcoronary pacing. This transcoronary pacing technique could replace temporary transvenous pacing in emergency situations during PCI, especially when using the radial approach.