Right Ventricular Septal Pacing Using a Thin Lumenless Pacing Lead and Delivery System with a Deflectable Catheter: Long-Term Outcomes

The SelectSecure™ lead system (SSLS), which is composed of a thin lumenless, active-fixation lead and a deflectable catheter, is approved for use in Japan. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of right ventricular (RV) septal pacing with the SSLS along with the system's safety and electrical performance. A total of 129 patients were divided into the following 3 groups: the RV septal pacing with the SSLS group (SSP, n = 21); the RV septal pacing with the conventional lead group (Septal, n = 77); and the RV apical pacing with the conventional lead group (Apical, n = 31). All lead-related complications and pacing parameters during follow-up were compared among the groups. The clinical outcome was heart failure-associated hospitalization. The SSP and Septal groups showed significantly shorter paced QRS duration than the Apical group. During the follow-up for a mean of 49.5 ± 13.1 months, no lead-related complications occurred in any of the groups. A case of pericardial effusion occurred in the SSP group, but cardiac tamponade did not occur, and it spontaneously resolved. The ventricular pacing threshold after the follow-up period was higher in the SSP group than in the other 2 groups. There was no difference in the primary heart failure hospitalization among the 3 groups. The SSLS could be effective in producing a narrow QRS width with RV septal pacing, but its pacing threshold was higher than conventional leads in the chronic phase.