Epicardial atrial pacemaker lead placement after multiple cardiac operations

• Published in: The Annals of thoracic surgery Vol. 71; no. 6; pp. 2057 - 2058
• Main Authors: Kucharczuk, John C, Cohen, Mitchell I, Rhodes, Larry A, Karl, Tom R, Spray, Thomas L, Gaynor, J.William
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.06.2001; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Child; Electrodes, Implanted; Heart Atria; Heart Defects, Congenital - surgery; Humans; Medical sciences; Pacemaker, Artificial; Pericardium; Postoperative Complications - therapy; Pulmonary Veins; Reoperation; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the heart; Human; Reoperation; Multiple; Congenital; Instrumentation therapy; Cardiovascular disease; Implantation; Left atrium; Thoracotomy; Congenital disease; Electrodes; Instrumental stimulation; Concomitant disease; Treatment; Pacemaker; Heart disease; Surgery; Surgical approach; Technique; Child
• ISSN: 0003-4975; 1552-6259
• DOI: 10.1016/S0003-4975(01)02440-7

We describe a simple technique for the implantation of left atrial epicardial pacing leads in children with congenital heart disease who have undergone multiple operations. The pulmonary veins are exposed to reveal the pulmonary venous to atrial confluence using a left thoracotomy. A pacemaker lead is secured to the posterior left atrium inferior to the lower pulmonary vein. This approach provides a reliable site for atrial lead placement without the need for extensive dissection.