Pacemaker Implantation in Neonates and Infants: Favorable Outcomes with Epicardial Pacing Systems

Multicenter Results of a Novel Pediatric Pacemaker in Neonates and Infants

BACKGROUND

To address the unmet need for a smaller pacemaker for babies, a specially modified implantable pulse generator was developed containing a Medtronic Micra subassembly in a polymer header connecting to a bipolar epicardial lead. The aim of this study was to report midterm follow-up data and outcomes of patients who underwent implantation of this device.

METHODS

Deidentified data were collected from 12 of 15 sites in the United States implanting the pediatric implantable pulse generator between March 2022 and February 2024. All 29 patients at these 12 sites within this timeframe were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

The median age at implant was 15 days (range, 0 days to 3 years, including 1 outlier). The median weight was 2.3 kg (range, 1.3-11.4 kg). Gestational age was 28.5 weeks to term, with 23 (79%) patients born prematurely. Of those with anatomic information, 25% had congenital heart disease. The average duration of implant was 325 days (73-808 days). The most recent lead impedance mean was 612 ohms (450-840 ohms), ventricular capture threshold mean was 1 V @ 0.4 ms (range, 0.38-2.75 V), and R-wave sensing mean was 12.5 mV (3.6-20 mV). There were 7 generator explants (24%), removed at 6.5 to 31 months of age.

CONCLUSIONS

The pediatric implantable pulse generator can be safely implanted in neonates and infants. This multicenter report demonstrates that the devices remain stable, with effective pacing, normal electrical parameters, and battery longevity aligned with projections. This novel pediatric pacemaker provides a viable alternative to standard-size generators and addresses a vital unmet need for these small patients.

Epicardial pacing outcomes in infants with heart block: Lead and device complications from a multicenter experience

BACKGROUND

Infants with complete heart block (CHB) require epicardial pacemaker (PM) insertion. Prior studies described epicardial pacing outcomes in infants and children, although they were limited by small or heterogeneous populations.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore patient- and procedure-level associations with device complications in infants with CHB who received a permanent PM.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study including infants receiving an epicardial PM between 2000 and 2021 for CHB. The primary outcome was time to device-related adverse event: lead failure requiring revision; pocket infection; exit block requiring increased pacing output; or lead-related coronary artery compression. Time-to-event analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method with a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

There were 174 infants who received an epicardial PM (282 bipolar, 39 unipolar leads) for CHB. Median age and weight at PM were 93.5 days and 4.5 kg, respectively. Pacing indication was postoperative CHB in 63% and congenital CHB in 37%. The median follow-up was 2.1 years. The primary outcome occurred in 26 infants at a median time to event of 0.6 year. Age ≤90 days at PM implantation was the most significant risk factor for a device-related adverse event (hazard ratio, 7.02; P < .001), primarily driven by pocket infections. Lead failure occurred in 3% of leads with a 5- and 10-year freedom from failure of 93% and 83%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Device complications affect 15% of infants receiving a permanent PM for heart block. Age ≤90 days at PM implantation is especially associated with infectious complications. Epicardial lead durability appears similar to previously reported pediatric experiences.

Long-term outcome of permanent epicardial pacemaker implantation in neonates: Experience from an Indian center

Introduction

Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) in neonates is challenging with respect to indications, device selection, implantation technique, and long-term outcomes. Complex anatomy, the need for long-term pacing with high rates, and a problematic postoperative period are the major problems.

Methods

We prospectively followed up 22 newborns who underwent PPI below 28 days of life at our institute.

Results

The median age at implantation was 2 days (interquartile range 1-9 days), and 9% were born preterm. The average heart rate before implantation was 46.4 ± 7.2 bpm. Maternal lupus antibodies were positive in 8 (36.4%) neonates, whereas 11 (50.0%) had associated congenital heart disease. Nineteen neonates underwent single chamber (VVI) and three underwent dual chamber (DDD) pacemaker implantation. Over a median follow-up of 46 months (range 2-123 months), the average ventricular pacing percentage was 87.5 ± 24.9%, with a stable pacing threshold. Seven children underwent pulse generator replacement due to battery depletion at a median age of 47 months. Pacing-induced ventricular dysfunction was seen in five children at a median age of 23.6 months, and two underwent upgradation to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Overall mortality was 13.6%, all due to tissue hypoperfusion and lactic acidosis in the postimplantation period.

Conclusions

PPI in neonates has a favorable outcome with excellent lead survival. Overall mortality is 13.6%, which is predominantly in the postimplantation period and related to myocardial dysfunction.

Lead and generator dysfunction in children and adolescents with epicardial pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator systems: The challenge of early recognition

BACKGROUND

A major issue of cardiac implantable electronic device therapy in pediatric patients is the high incidence of lead dysfunctions and associated reinterventions. This study aims to analyze the timing and mode of generator and lead dysfunction.

METHODS

Retrospective single-center analysis of 283 children and young adults with an epicardial pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy from 1998 to 2018.

RESULTS

Mean age at implant was 6.1 years (SD ± 5.8 years) and median follow-up 6.4 years (IQR, 3.4-10.4 years) with a total of 1998.1 patient-years of cardiac device therapy. A total of 120 lead-related complications were observed in 82 patients (29.0%). They were detected by device interrogation (n = 86), symptoms (n = 13), intraoperative findings (n = 7), routine chest radiography (n = 5), routine ECG (n = 4), patient alert sound by device (n = 3), and physical examination (n = 2). It was possible to find the date of the event on the device memory in 21 out of 120 lead dysfunctions (18%) with a median time interval between occurrence and detection of 1.3 months (IQR, 0.2-5.0 months). Moreover, 20 generator-related complications were found in 13 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Early recognition of lead and generator dysfunction remains challenging in pediatric patients. As symptoms are relatively rare conditions in the context of PM and ICD dysfunction, close patient monitoring is mandatory, even in asymptomatic patients with a good clinical course. To further improve the safety of pediatric pacing systems, more durable epicardial electrodes are desirable.

Navigating the Complexity: A Comprehensive Review of Managing Pregnancy in Complete Heart Block Cases

This review explores the comprehensive management of pregnancy in cases of complete heart block, a cardiac condition characterized by the dissociation between atrial and ventricular conduction. The review begins with a thorough examination of preconception counseling, emphasizing the assessment of maternal health, the evaluation of cardiac function, and the identification of potential risks. Subsequently, the medical management section delves into using beta-blockers, pacemakers, and antiarrhythmic drugs to monitor cardiac function during pregnancy and adjust medication regimens. Obstetric considerations highlight the importance of antenatal care, fetal monitoring, and thoughtful delivery planning, including the choice between vaginal delivery and cesarean section. The section on complications underscores the risks of arrhythmias, heart failure, premature birth, and neonatal cardiac issues. Looking ahead, the future directions and research section explores ongoing studies in genetics, pharmacology, and technological innovations, envisioning potential advancements in pacing technology and personalized medicine approaches. The conclusion synthesizes key findings, offering recommendations for clinical practice and reflecting on the challenges and opportunities inherent in managing pregnancy in complete heart block cases. The multidisciplinary approach emerges as paramount, with collaborative efforts paving the way for improved patient outcomes and advancements in the field.

Current Device Needs for Patients with Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease

Pediatric electrophysiologists believe that there is a paucity of pediatric-specific cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) available for their patients. Specific patient characteristics such as vascular size, intracardiac anatomy, and expected somatic growth limit the types of CIED implants possible for pediatric and congenital heart disease (CHD) patients. These patients demonstrate higher CIED-related complication rates compared with adults. As the number of pediatric and CHD patients who require CIEDs increases, so does the need for advocacy. Fortunately, collaboration among the Food and Drug Administration, industry, and pediatric societies has led to the improvement of regulations and support for clinical trials.

Follow-up Results of Permanent Epicardial Pacing in Children: A 15-Year Retrospective Study.. [DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2390319/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

Background Permanent epicardial pacing is an effective treatment for pediatric patients especially for those with low body weight, small body size or complex cardiac structures. This study aimed to investigate the follow-up results and identify the associated risk factors of epicardial pacing in children. Method Pediatric patients who successfully received permanent epicardial pacing treatment at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from March 2005 to March 2021 were included in this study. The surgical data, echocardiographic examination parameters, incidence of reoperation, and long-term complications of these patients were recorded. Result A total of 139 patients were enrolled in this study. The median follow-up period was 50 months. Compared to a baseline measurement, there was a significant decrease in the postoperative left ventricular end-diastolic diameters. For patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening significantly improved after implantation. Thirty-one patients (22.3%) had complications in the follow-up period, and the most common was lead failure (14.4%). The reoperation incidence was 33.8%. Right ventricle pacing is a risk factor associated with reoperation. The five-years survival time of leads and batteries were 84.5% and 83.4%, respectively. Right ventricle pacing was the only risk factor which significantly reduced the lifespan of lead and battery. Conclusion Permanent epicardial pacing therapy is an effective treatment in children in spite of postoperative complications. RV pacing is a significant risk factor for reoperation, and it increases the occurrence of complications and reduces the survival time of the lead and battery.

Time-trend population analysis of the clinical and epidemiologic effect on pediatric infective endocarditis after change of antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines

PURPOSE

In 2007, antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) guidelines for infective endocarditis (IE) changed, but the possible influence on the annual incidences of pediatric IE is unclear.

METHODS

We studied the clinical and epidemiologic impact of AP change by comparing two time periods before and after change of AP guidelines in a tertiary care center as referral center for a total population of more than 4,500,000 inhabitants.

RESULTS

After change of AP guidelines, twenty-five patients were diagnosed for IE at a median age of 6.9 years (range 0.1-19.4, female 48%). Modified Duke criteria were fulfilled for definite (12/25; 48%), or probable IE (13/25; 52%). The frequency of IE (cases per 1000 hospitalized patients) increased from 0.37% (1995-2005) to 0.59% (2006-2017) [p = 0.152], the annual incidence of IE (cases per 1000 CHD patients, < 20 years of age) increased from 0.195 ‰ to 0.399 ‰ [p = 0.072]. Postoperative IE (13/25; 52%), was associated mostly with prosthetic pulmonary valves (12/13; 92%). Pathogens were staphylococci spp. (8/25; 32%), streptococci spp. (7/25; 28%), HACEK (3/25; 12%), other (4/25; 16%), or culture-negative (3/25; 12%). Treatment included antibiotics (25/25; 100%), and cardiac surgery (16/25; 64%). The clinical findings and complications of pediatric IE including mortality (2/25; 8%) did not differ between the two time periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric IE remains a severe cardiac disease with a comparable clinical picture. Unless increasing absolute case numbers of IE, the relative case number of IE remains stable despite AP change. The high number of prosthetic pulmonary valve associated IE needs further evaluation and therapeutic alternatives.