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A randomized comparison of defibrillation thresholds in the right ventricular outflow tract versus right ventricular apex

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Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To determine whether the placement of an implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) lead in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) has the same defibrillation threshold (DFT) as the right ventricular apex (RVA).

Background

Right ventricular ICD leads have usually been placed in the RVA. Development of active fixation technology has allowed the placement of these leads in alternate locations such as the RVOT.

Methods

At time of device implantation, 26 patients with either ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy underwent DFT testing in both the RVA and RVOT using a binary search algorithm.

Results

Placement of the lead in the RVA had a mean DFT of 7.6 ± 2.8 J while the placement of the lead in the RVOT had a mean DFT of 10.3 ± 3.0 J. The median (25th and 75th percentiles) DFTs in the RVA and RVOT were 7.5 J (6 and 11 J) and 11 J (9 and 14 J), respectively (p = 0.0002).

Conclusions

Placement of the right ventricular lead in the RVA has a significantly lower DFT than placement of the lead in the RVOT.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Duluth Clinic Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. St. Mary’s/Duluth Clinic, 407 East 3rd Street, Duluth, MN, 55805, USA

    Michael Mollerus & Margaret Lipinski

  2. Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Thomas Munger

Authors
  1. Michael Mollerus
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  2. Margaret Lipinski
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  3. Thomas Munger
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Correspondence to Michael Mollerus.

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Mollerus, M., Lipinski, M. & Munger, T. A randomized comparison of defibrillation thresholds in the right ventricular outflow tract versus right ventricular apex. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 22, 221–225 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-008-9254-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-008-9254-x

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