Alpay Celiker M.D.Acıbadem University

Advances in lead and device technology allow pacemaker system implantation in children and even in neonates

Specific problems in children such as small vessel size, cardiovascular abnormalities often lead to implant problems.

Physical activity and somatic growth may affect lead longevity in young patients

Leads◦ Endocardial, or

epicardial ◦ Passive or active

fixation

Chamber Paced◦ VVIR, DDD, or VDD

• Venous obstructions• Pace related impaired ventricular function. • Lead infections• Lead extraction necessity• Interaction with cardiac valves• Impossible in some patients

Leads generally more reliable than epicardial implants

Procedure more easy Less thresholds Fast adaptation to

new pacemaker systems

Venous Occlusion: 11 out of 85 (13%) total venous obstruction; 10 (12%) partial obstruction. Age, body size and lead type not associated with occlusion > 3 years . Bar Cohen 2006

Tricuspid valve issue: 27 out of 123 TR increased. No severeTR. No change (63%) or improved (12%). Berul 2008.

An inhomogeneous and dyssynchronous electrical activation of ventricles, leading to changes in myocardial architecture and left ventricular mechanical contractions. This problem is secondary to right ventricle apical pacing via transvenous pacing.

Karpawich P. Pace 2008

Perioperative Infections (before discharge):

◦Superficial 1,2 %Superficial 1,2 %◦Deep 0,2 %

Early Pacemaker Early Pacemaker Infections (< 60 days)Infections (< 60 days)

◦Superficial 3,1 %◦Deep 1,2 %

Late Pacemaker Infections

◦Superficial 0,5 %◦Deep 0,7 %

Staphylococcus species were isolated in 44 %Increased Risks

◦ReinterventionReintervention◦Down syndromeDown syndrome◦Subcutaneous Subcutaneous preperitoneal pocketpreperitoneal pocket

* Cohen et al J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002; 124.

Remove the intravascular and intracardiac lead material

Relieve and reconstruct the venous access for the new leads

Prevent lead related infection

Class I:Class I:◦ a: sepsis ◦ b: life-threatening arrhythmia ◦ c: life threatening condition ◦ d: thromboembolic event caused by retained

lead ◦ Obliteration of all useable veins◦ Lead interfereres with the operation of another

device

• Implantation procedure more invasive than endocardial• Surgery required • Leads are weaker

Pros: Venous access not

required Usable patients with

compromised venous access

Allows left ventricular pacing, even in small patients

Dual chamber pacing in small patients

Epicardial Pacing

Epicardial: <15 kg Compromised venous access or a univentricular

heart Pace the left ventricle

EndocardialPossible implant <15kgVenous occlusion Risks of future lead extractionBeware of pacing induced heart failure

Noiseux et al. Thirty years of experience with epicardial pacing in children. Cardiol Young 2004

Epicardial Pacing

A substantial proportion of patients with epicardial pacemakers do, however, require reintervention within five years. Median sternotomy is a risk factor

Preserved cardiac synchrony and function with single-site left ventricular epicardial pacing during mid-term follow-up in paediatric patients. Tomaske M, Breithardt OA, and Bauersfeld U. Europace 2009.

RV PACE (N=10 LV PACE (N=15)Interventricular mechanical delay (ms)

62±15 17±10

Septal-to-posterior wall motion delay (ms)

294±84 59±23

Septal-to-lateral wall delay, by TDI (ms)

59+12 40±19

LV mechanical delay, 2D strain (ms)Mitral valve level

159±44 72±31

LV mechanical delay, 2D strain (ms)Papillary muscle level

127+25 64±23

RV mechanical delay, 2D strain (ms)

62±33 57±23

RV (ms) 197±42 210±43

LV ejection fraction (%) 45±6 60±6

LV end-systolic volume index (mL) 33±11 22±5

Aortic velocity – time integral (cm) 21±2 26±4

LV Tei index 0,63±0,11 0,38±0,07

VDD pacing may be an alternative for DDD pacing in children with normal sinus node function.

Ovsyshcher, Rosenthal and Seiden et al. have been showed good results with this mode of pacing.

Late results of this mode of pacing seems to encourage

Atrial electrogram amplitude was decreased in children without any atrial sensing problem. Loss of atrial sensing can be a problem in children with operated congenital heart diseases.

It may be first choice older children with congenital AV block and normal sinus node dysfunction.

VVIR Pros and VVIR Pros and ConsCons◦Pros: One lead

required, Smaller generator, gives satisfactory exercise tolerance, slower heart rates than DDD

◦Cons: Heart rate response is not physiological, loss of AVsynchrony,

DDD Pros and ConsPros: Physiological heart

rate response, AV synchrony maintained, reduced risk of atrial fibrillation

Cons: Two leads required, larger generator, faster heart rates than VVIR, pacemaker mediated tachycardia

AdvantagesAdvantages ◦Single lead dual chamber sensing

◦Avoid of many electrodes

◦Provide AV Synchrony

◦Avoid of venous thrombosis??

DisadvantagesDisadvantages◦Atrial sensing problems in postop. cases

◦Relative change of atrial dipole with the growth

◦Decrease of AV synchrony with time

◦Lack of active fixation

◦Large electrodes◦No indication in SSS◦Lack of epicardial use

• Pioneereed by Karpawich.• Implant possible to desired place• Less material at venous system and heart• Similar results compared to conventional systems• Lead extraction issue?•Long-term results?

Karpawich et al. Altered cardiac histology following apical right ventricular pacing in patients with congenital atrioventricular block. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 1999

Select Secure system: steroid eluting, bipolar, lumenless, non-retractable screw-in 4,1 F lead (model 3830, Medtronic, Inc.), delivered through a 8F steerable catheter (Select Site)

Long term complications of pacing in childhood include venous occlusion, impaired ventricular function, lead failure, and risks of multiple implants and explants.

Right ventricular apical pacing should be minimised where possible.

In small infants epicardial pacing should be encouraged.

Long term complications largely relate to problems with the leads.