Use of the retained guidewire technique facilitates left ventricular epicardial capture during biventricular defibrillator implantation.

We report a case of biventricular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) insertion in which standard lead placement techniques could not achieve left ventricular capture. Protrusion of the guidewire beyond a venous stenosis provided adequate left ventricular capture.

Continuous nonfluoroscopic localization of the esophagus during radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Atrial-esophageal fistula formation is a dreaded complication of radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Esophageal localization is of potential value in avoiding lesion placement where the left atrium is juxtaposed to the esophagus.

Methods And Results: Twenty-seven patients underwent 33 pulmonary vein encirclement procedures.