Apical versus Non-Apical Lead: Is ICD Lead Position Important for Successful Defibrillation?

Guy Amit, Jia Wang, Stuart J. Connolly, Michael Glikson, Stephan Hohnloser, David J. Wright, Johannes Brachmann, Pascal Defaye, Joerg Neuzner, Philippe Mabo, Liselot VanErven, Xavier Vinolas, Gilles O'Hara, Josef Kautzner, Ursula Appl, Fredrik Gadler, Kenneth Stein, Yuval Konstantino, Jeff S. Healey

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    11 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    ICD Lead Position and Outcome Introduction We aim to compare the acute and long-term success of defibrillation between non-apical and apical ICD lead position. Methods and Results The position of the ventricular lead was recorded by the implanting physician for 2,475 of 2,500 subjects in the Shockless IMPLant Evaluation (SIMPLE) trial, and subjects were grouped accordingly as non-apical or apical. The success of intra-operative defibrillation testing and of subsequent clinical shocks were compared. Propensity scoring was used to adjust for the impact of differences in baseline variables between these groups. There were 541 leads that were implanted at a non-apical position (21.9%). Patients implanted with a non-apical lead had a higher rate of secondary prevention indication. Non-apical location resulted in a lower mean R-wave amplitude (14.0 vs. 15.2, P < 0.001), lower mean pacing impedance (662 ohm vs. 728 ohm, P < 0.001), and higher mean pacing threshold (0.70 V vs. 0.66 V, P = 0.01). Single-coil leads and cardiac resynchronization devices were used more often in non-apical implants. The success of intra-operative defibrillation was similar between propensity score matched groups (89%). Over a mean follow-up of 3 years, there were no significant differences in the yearly rates of appropriate shock (5.5% vs. 5.4%, P = 0.98), failed appropriate first shock (0.9% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.66), or the composite of failed shock or arrhythmic death (2.8% vs. 2.3% P = 0.35) according to lead location. Conclusion We did not detect any reduction in the ICD efficacy at the time of implant or during follow-up in patients receiving a non-apical RV lead.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)581-586
    Number of pages6
    JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
    Volume27
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 1 May 2016

    Keywords

    • cardiac resynchronization therapy
    • defibrillation safety margin
    • defibrillation testing
    • failed shocks
    • implantable cardioverter defibrillator
    • inappropriate shocks
    • right ventricular lead

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
    • Physiology (medical)

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