Steroid-Eluting and Fractally Coated Electrodes in Children with High Pacing Thresholds

Abstract

High pacing thresholds in epicardially implanted leads are a frequent issue in children after cardiac surgery. In 2 infants, repeated revisions of non-steroid-eluting leads were necessary. To avoid further frequent replacements, two epicardial ventricular leads, one steroid-eluting and an additional fractally coated electrode as a pacing “backup” were connected to the atrial and ventricular outlet of a DDD pacemaker, allowing a comparison between two both electrodes. Showing no differences in long-term measurements, both electrodes seem to provide a comparably high level of safety.

Key words

Congenital cardiac defects - Epicardial pacing - Fractally coated electrode - Steroid-eluting electrode - Backup system

References

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Correspondence