© 2000 by European Society of Cardiology
Latest generation of unipolar and bipolar steroid eluting leads
Long-term comparison of electrical performance in atrium and ventricles
1Cardiology Dept, Degli Infermi Hospital Feanza (RA), Italy; 2Cardiology Dept, Fatebenefratelli Hospital Rome, Italy; 3Cardiology Dept, S. Agostino Hospital Modena, Italy; 4Cardiology Dept, S. Carlo Borromeo Hospital Milan, Italy; 5Cardiology Dept, Casa di Cura Villabianca Bari, Italy; 6Cardiology Dept, S. Maria Nuova Hospital Reggio Emilia, Italy; 7Cardiology Dept, Della Val Camonica Hospital Esine, Italy; 8Medtronic Italy Italy
One hundred and seventy-three patients, mean age 74 years permanently paced with 123 atrial (53 unipolar, 70 bipolar) and 143 ventricular (73 unipolar, 70 bipolar) pacing leads were included in this study. The pacing leads were recent generation low surface area steroid eluting leads from one manufacturer: leads with silicone and polyurethane insulation were studied, and they were combined with generations of one pacemaker family from the same manufacturer permitting identical measurements to be made over a follow-up of 2 years. Pacing threshold was measured using pulse duration at a fixed voltage of 1·5 V: peak to peak P and R wave amplitude and pacing impedance at 2·5 V and 0·5 ms were all measured using the manufacturer's standard programmer. Although many significant differences, in the parameters measures, existed between atrium and ventricle and unipolar and bipolar configurations, none was felt to be of clinical significance. These data permit the physician to choose the lead type with regard to sensing performance and long-term lead integrity.
Key Words: Unipolar, bipolar atrial and ventricular pacing leads, steroid elution, stimulation threshold, sensing
Correspondence: Dr Daniele Cornacchia, Via Orto Caporal, 5, 48018, Faenza (RA) Italy.
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