The implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) leads for the management of cardiac dyssynchrony is generally performed percutaneously via the coronary sinus or a left cardiac vein. For various reasons (anatomic variation, venous stricture or thrombosis) the vascular access can be hampered. Alternatively, an epicardial electrode can be fixed on the free wall of the left ventricle. In order to minimize the surgical trauma, pacemaker implantation techniques using thoracoscopy have been described since the early 1990’s [1, 2]. However, in these cases predominantly monopolar screw-in leads were used [3]. We report our experience of thoracoscopically implanting a bipolar suture-on epicardial electrode with monofilamentous sutures tightened with automated fasteners to avoid hand-tied knots.
Case presentation
A 69-year-old Caucasian female patient (born male) was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and had undergone the implantation of a CRT-Internal Cardiac Defibrillator (CRT-ICD Visionist®, Boston Scientific Corporation, USA) in 2009. Because of inopportune stimulation of the diaphragm, the coronary sinus electrode had to be deactivated. In 2018, a newly inserted electrode failed to achieve resynchronization, presumably due to an excessive lateral position. However, an additional electrode insertion was not technically feasible due to venous obstruction. Thus, the patient was referred to surgery for a minimal-invasive left ventricular epicardial lead implantation.
The operation was performed thoracoscopically. Three trocars were used: two 12 mm trocars in the 4th and 5th intercostal space on the anterior axillary line (thoracoscope, grasper), and one 7 mm trocar via the pouch of the CRT device (hook, needle holder). CO2 insufflation (15 mmHg) was used for better visibility. A pericardial window was dissected ventral to the left phrenic nerve. The two coils of the epicardial bipolar electrode (CAPSURE EPI 4968–35 cm, Medtronic®, USA) were placed on the lateral wall of the beating heart. To safely pass the myocardium without tearing, a monofilament 2–0 polypropylene suture was used. Further, to avoid extracorporeal hand knotting leading to potential tension on the suture and probable disruption of the fragile myocardium, automated titanium fasteners (Cor-Knot®, LSI Solutions, USA) were utilized (Fig. 1). After testing, the electrode was passed into the pouch and connected to the CRT device. The pericardium was closed with braided sutures and further titanium fasteners. A pleural aspiration drain was inserted before the left lung was re-expanded and the wounds were closed with absorbable sutures.
The pacemaker interrogation attested the correct function of the implanted lead (pacing threshold 0.70 V by 0.5 ms; sensing threshold: 10 mV; impedance: 582 Ω). The drain was removed after 48 h and the patient was dismissed from the hospital without complication on the third postoperative day. Cardiologic work-up 6 months after implantation confirmed correct device performance with 100% resynchronization rate and an expected battery life of 11 years. Clinically the patient was cardiopulmonary compensated with a complete restitution of left ventricular ejection fraction (EF 60%).
