Performance of a new steroid-eluting coronary sinus lead designed for leftventricular pacing

The Ventak CHF/CONTAK CD Biventricular Pacing Study is a prospective random ized trial to examine the safety and efficacy of biventricular (BV) pacing in patients with standard indications for an ICD, symptomatic heart failure , a LVEF less than or equal to 0.35, and a QRS greater than or equal to 120 ms. Patients underwent implantation of a BV pacing and sensing system with backup defibrillation capability, which includes a steroid-eluting coronar y venous lead that is advanced into the coronary venous vasculature by over -the-wire techniques. LV pacing threshold, BV impedance, and BV R wave ampl itude were measured in 58 consecutive patients. Using a percutaneous over-t he-wire insertion technique, steroid-eluting coronary venous leads were ass ociated with satisfactory mean LV pacing threshold, BV impedance, and BV R wave amplitude acutely up to 4 months after implantation. Pacing threshold stabilized 2 weeks after lead implantation and sensing threshold remained s table from the time of implant.