Improved success rate of cardiac resynchronization therapy implant by employing an active fixation coronary sinus lead.

Aims: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is the standard treatment for heart failure with severe reduced left ventricular (LV) function and wide QRS complex. Coronary sinus (CS) lead implantation is challenging and accompanied by substantial dislocation rates. We evaluated the usage of an active fixation LV lead (Attain Starfix, Medtronic, MN, USA) with deployable lobes in challenging lead positions.

Different venous angioplasty manoeuvres for successful implantation of CRT devices.

Aims: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has growing impact in the treatment of severe heart failure Stenosis of coronary veins, complex structure of coronary sinus and occlusions of subclavian veins can limit lead passage in the target vein.

Methods And Results: Retrospective analysis of 705 implantation procedures of CRT devices from 1999 to July 2007 in a single centre to show the impact of venous angioplasty manoeuvres for successful placement of left ventricular lead. In 31 patients (3.