Usefulness of Decapolar catheter via femoral approach on CS cannulation during CRT device implantation

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device insertion comprises of a transvenous pacing lead implanted in posterolateral branch of the coronary sinus (CS) for left ventricular (LV) pacing, in addition to leads in the right ventricle and right atrium. In patients undergoing CRT device implantation, failure of CS cannulation was earlier reported to be around 10% but has come down to about 4% in recent years. Although the use of electrophysiology (EP) catheter has been reported during CRT procedures but femoral approach to place decapolar catheter as fluoroscopic guide for CS ostium cannulation during LV lead implantation has not been evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of the study was to compare fluoroscopy time during CRT procedure between conventional technique and using decapolar EP catheter via femoral approach as fluoroscopic marker to cannulate CS. RESULTS: This study included 21 patients. Group 1 (using decapolar catheter) had 12 patients and group 2 (using the conventional technique) had 9 patients. CS cannulation was successful in all 21 cases. The mean fluoroscopy time for the CS cannulation and LV lead placement in group 1 was 10.7 (±1.03) min and in group 2 was 19.1 (±1.51) min. This difference in mean fluoroscopy time for the CS cannulation and LV lead placement was statistically significant with p < .05. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the usefulness of decapolar catheter via femoral approach as a fluoroscopic guide for CS cannulation during CRT device implantation. The decreased fluoroscopic time results in decreased radiation exposure to not only the patient but also to the operator.