Dual chamber ICD systems use two separate leads for sensing. We developed and tested a new prototype of a single pass dual chamber passive fixation lead for dual chamber ICDs.
Methods and results: The prototype was a modification of the Guidant CPI Endotak DSP lead. The additional sensing electrode for the right atrium consisted of a side-mounted porous atrial ring electrode (AR). Atrial signals were recorded from the lead in patients during normal sinus rhythm (NSR), atrial fibrillation (AFib), and/or atrial flutter (AFl) with the AR in stable contact with the atrial wall or floating. During NSR, with the AR in contact with the atrial wall, an average P wave amplitude of 7.2 +/- 1.5 mV (mean +/- SD, n = 12) was measured. After induction of Afib/AFl, the single amplitude decreased to 3.6 +/- 1.5 mV (n = 8) during AFib and 3.4 +/- 1.7 mV (n = 9) during AFl. Amplitudes dropped between 53% and 75% when the AR lost atrial wall contact. The atrial pacing threshold was 1.0 +/- 0.4 V (n = 16) when the AR was in contact with the atrial wall.
Conclusions: In future dual chamber ICDs the signals from a passive fixation single pass lead could be used for atrial sensing and pacing as long as the sensing electrode for the right atrium remains in contact with the atrial wall. This system might lead to a simpler, less invasive implantation of dual chamber ICD systems.