Performance of transcatheter pacing system use in relation to patients' age

Leadless pacing: a comprehensive review

Over the past decade, leadless pacing has undergone a rapid evolution, resulting in multiple leadless pacemaker (LPM) devices that offer advancements such as atrioventricular synchronized pacing in VDD mode, atrial stimulation, dual-chamber pacing, and longer battery longevity. Studies comparing LPMs with transvenous pacemakers (TVPMs) show a lower rate of device-related complications with LPMs. In the near future, LPMs could be combined with other devices such as non-transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators to provide anti-tachycardia pacing or bradycardia pacing. Future prospectives for leadless cardiac resynchronization therapy and leadless conduction system pacing are being investigated. As LPMs continue to improve, their applications are anticipated to expand further improving patient outcome, promising a bright future for leadless pacing. In this review, the past, present, and future of leadless pacing are discussed with a focus on cutting-edge implantation techniques, clinical outcomes, and modern advancements of LPMs.

Comparison of 30-day complications between a tine-based and a screw-in helix fixation single-chamber ventricular leadless pacemaker: Results of a propensity score-matched analysis from a multicenter, nationwide registry

BACKGROUND

Medtronic Micra VR and Abbott Aveir VR are 2 single-chamber ventricular leadless pacemakers (L-PMs) currently available in clinical practice. They differ in their design, fixation mechanism (tine-based fixation for Micra VR, screw-in helix fixation for Aveir VR), and implantation technique. Few comparative safety data are available for these L-PMs.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare the rate of acute procedure-related complications of patients undergoing Aveir VR vs Micra VR implantation.

METHODS

A prospective, multicenter, observational registry enrolled consecutive patients who underwent Aveir VR or Micra VR implantation. The rate and nature of device-related complications at 30-day follow-up were analyzed and compared between the groups. Individual 1:1 propensity score matching of baseline characteristics was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 1141 patients (75.9 ± 14.8 years; 60.2% male) were enrolled: 211 Aveir VR and 930 Micra VR. Propensity score matching yielded 189 matched pairs. In the matched cohort, the risk of device-related complications at 30 days of follow-up of the 2 L-PMs was similar (2.1% vs 2.1%; P = 1). Device migration (1.6% vs 0.5%; P = .315) and vascular complications (0.5% vs 1.1%; P = .562) were the most frequent complications, with no significant differences between the groups. Cardiac perforation was rare (1 case in the Micra VR group, no cases in the Aveir VR group).

CONCLUSION

The risk of acute device-related complications associated with Aveir VR and Micra VR L-PM implantation was similar. These findings suggest that despite differences in design, fixation mechanism, and implantation technique, these 2 devices appear to have a similar short-term safety profile.

Synchronous atrioventricular sequential pacing utilizing conventional and leadless pacemakers in an elderly patient: a case report

Background

Leadless pacemakers present a viable alternative to conventional transvenous devices to mitigate the risk of lead- and/or pocket-related complications. In elderly patients who have encountered ventricular lead failures with transvenous pacemakers, this option may enable the delivery of atrioventricular synchronous pacing therapy, while obviating the requirement for lead extraction and lead-based pacemaker re-implantation.

Case summary

This case report describes the successful implantation of a leadless pacemaker in a 90-year-old who had undergone two dual-chamber permanent pacemaker implantation procedures with a failure of three of four previously implanted leads. Atrioventricular synchronous pacing was achieved, as the leadless device was able to track the atrial-paced rhythm from the pre-existing right-sided device.

Discussion

In elderly patients who have encountered issues with transvenous pacemakers, alternative approaches should be considered to mitigate the risk of future complications. Leadless pacemakers may offer a low-risk solution, enabling the delivery of atrioventricular synchronous pacing therapy in such patient groups. Future studies should be designed to delineate whether these devices could be utilized as a first-line approach in certain situations.

Leadless transcatheter pacemaker: Indications, implantation technique and peri-procedural patient management in the Italian clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Safety and efficacy of leadless pacemakers (L-PM) have been demonstrated in multiple clinical trials, but real-world data on patient selection, implantation technique, and peri-procedural patient management in a clinical practice setting are lacking.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing L-PM implantation in 14 Italian centers were followed in a prospective, multicentre, observational project. Data on baseline patient characteristics, clinical indications, implantation procedure, and peri-procedural patient management were collected. The rate and nature of device-related complications were also recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 782 L-PM patients (68.4% male, 75.6 ± 12.4 years) were included in the analysis. The main patients-related reason leading to the choice of implanting a L-PM rather than a conventional PM was the high-risk of device infection (29.5% of cases). The implantation success rate was 99.2%. The median duration of the procedure was 46 min. In 90% of patients the device was implanted in the septum. Of patients on oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) (n = 498) the implantation procedure was performed without interrupting (17.5%) or transiently interrupting OAT without heparin bridging (60.6%). During a median follow-up of 20 months major device-related complications occurred in 7 patients (0.9%): vascular access-site complications in 3 patients, device malfunction in 2 patients, pericardial effusion/cardiac tamponade in one patient, device migration in one patient.

CONCLUSIONS

In the real world setting of Italian clinical practice L-PM is often reserved for patients at high-risk of infection. The implantation success rate was very high and the risk of major complications was low. Peri-procedural management of OAT was consistent with available scientific evidence.