Left Ventricular Endocardial Pacing: Update and State of the Art

Card Electrophysiol Clin. 2022 Jun;14(2):263-271. doi: 10.1016/j.ccep.2021.12.004. Epub 2022 May 21.

Abstract

Initially, left ventricular (LV) endocardial pacing was performed as a bailout procedure after unsuccessful transvenous cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation in the presence of surgical contraindications. Additional possible advantages of endocardial LV pacing are a more physiologic activation, being less arrhythmogenic, more effective on the hemodynamic level, with better thresholds, and without the risk of phrenic stimulation. Different techniques have been proposed to stimulate the LV endocardium in humans, with feasibility and safety studies involving limited numbers of patients. In this review, we will describe the different techniques proposed to allow LV endocardial pacing, the results observed, and then we will discuss the reasons why LV endocardial pacing seems to be out of fashion today and what are the possible perspectives for development.

Keywords: CRT; Encocardium; Endocardial; Left ventricle; Pacing.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy* / methods
  • Endocardium
  • Heart Failure* / therapy
  • Heart Ventricles / surgery
  • Hemodynamics / physiology
  • Humans
  • Treatment Outcome