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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2005;28:797-800
© 2005 Elsevier Science NL

A simplified technique for implantation of left ventricular epicardial leads for biventricular resynchronisation using video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS)

^a Division of Thoracic and Hyperbaric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 29, A-8036 Graz, Austria
^b Division of Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria

Received 13 May 2005; received in revised form 23 August 2005; accepted 23 August 2005.

^_* Corresponding author. Tel.: +43 316 3853302; fax: +43 316 3854679. (Email: sabine.gabor{at}meduni-graz.at).

Objective: Cardiac resynchronisation therapy for treatment of heart failure requires transvenous insertion of both a right ventricular and left ventricular pacing lead. Implantation of the latter by way of the coronary sinus often fails. Therefore, alternative techniques for insertion are required. We applied a simple video-assisted surgical technique (VATS) using only two ports for the insertion of left-ventricular screw-in electrodes. Methods: Fifteen patients (M: 10; F: 5; mean age: 62.2 years; range: 46–76 years) with heart failure meeting the ACC/AHA guidelines for implantation of biventricular pacing underwent transvenous insertion of the right atrial sensor lead and the right ventricular pacing lead. In all of them transvenous implantation of the left ventricular pacing lead failed, and they were planned for VATS. In right-lateral decubitus position and under single-lung ventilation a camera port and a flexible instrumentation port were inserted in the forth intercostal space. By using routine instruments, a T-shaped incision was made lateral to the phrenic nerve and an electrode was screwed in. The lead was guided subcutaneously to the pacemaker. Results: Mean skin-to-skin operating time was 55 ± 16 min, no conversion to thoracotomy was necessary. All patients were extubated in the operating room and remained in the intensive care unit for less than 24 h. Chest tubes were removed after a mean of 1.6 ± 0.5 days and the patients were discharged after a mean of 4 ± 1.3 days. Intraoperative and postoperative pacing thresholds at 1 and 7 months were satisfactory in all cases and there was no lead dislocation. All but two patients had an improvement of their NYHA function class. There was neither surgical morbidity nor mortality. Conclusions: Video-assisted thoracoscopy over two ports seems to be an excellent alternative procedure for epicardial lead implantation. It is readily available and produces good pacing results at a short intervention time and tolerable stress for the patients.

Key Words: Biventricular resynchronisation • VATS • Heart failure • Epicardial lead

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