A Novel Quadripolar Active Fixation Left-Ventricular Pacing Lead for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Initial United Kingdom Experience

OBJECTIVESThis study sought to assess immediate and short-term performance of the Medtronic Attain Stability Quadripolar 4798 lead (Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland). BACKGROUNDCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established treatment for appropriately selected patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. The most common reason for failure to implant a lead is the lack of a suitable epicardial vein, due either to an absent vessel in the target site, an unacceptably high threshold, lead instability, phrenic nerve stimulation, or a combination of reasons. In August 2017, a novel quadripolar active fixation LV lead (Medtronic) was released. This paper reports the initial clinical experience with lead implantation and specifically immediate and short-term pacing parameters across 3 United Kingdom centers. METHODSConsecutive patients eligible for CRT were deemed suitable for this lead. Immediate and short-term lead performance data regarding LV threshold, impedance, and displacement rates were collected at standard pacing checks (1 day, 5 weeks, 3 months, and 9 months post-implantation). RESULTSCRT using this lead was attempted in 82 cases and was successful in 81 cases (98.8%). LV thresholds and impedance levels were 1.22 ± 0.75 V and 737 ± 319 Ω at implantation; 1.16 ± 0.71 V and 597 ± 218 Ω at day 1; 1.02 ± 0.48 V and 579 ± 148 Ω at week 6; 0.98 ± 0.49 V and 569 ± 133 Ω at 3 months; and 1.06 ± 0.48 V and 570 ± 140 Ω at 9 months. As of the publication of this paper, no LV lead has been displaced. CONCLUSIONSCRT using the Medtronic lead was successful in more than 98% of the patients. Short-to-medium-term data regarding lead performance and stability were excellent, with zero displacements as of the publication of this paper.