The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 36, 328-331, Copyright © 1983 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Clinical evaluation of a sutureless cardiac pacing lead: chronic threshold changes and lead durability
JT Walls, JD Maloney and JR Pluth
Chronic threshold changes and durability of the Medtronic 6917 sutureless
cardiac pacing lead were evaluated in 100 consecutive patients. A bipolar
pacing system was established in each patient. Lead failure occurred in 4
patients; all failures resulted from exit block or loss of adequate contact
between electrode and myocardium. Electrode fracture or loss of lead
insulation was not observed. Fifty patients had replacement of the pulse
generator 27.4 +/- 1.8 months after implantation. Long-term stimulation
threshold voltage was about 2.5 times greater and current was about 3.5
times greater than values obtained at initial implantation, yet they
continued to permit safe and effective cardiac pacing.