Background:
Up to one in three patients implanted with a cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) device
experience phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS). Quadripolar leads are effective at reducing PNS, but compared to standard bipolar leads they have limitations related to maneuverability and high pacing thresholds. The ability of standard bipolar leads to overcome PNS is explored here. Methods: The French multicenter, observational study ORPHEE enrolled 90 CRT-D
-
eligible patients. Detection of PNS took place after satisfactory positioning of the LV bipolar lead (stable pacing threshold < 2.5 V). The aim of the primary analysis was to show that, at implant, three programmable pacing vectors (LV tip
-
LV ring, LV tip
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RV ring and LV ring
-
RV coil) could prevent PNS from occurring
in at least 90% of patients. Results: In 80 evaluable patients, PNS was reported in 12 patients (15%). Reprogramming overcame PNS in 10 patients: LV ring
-
RV coil in 8 patients; LV tip
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LV ring in 1; and LV tip
-
RV ring in 1. As PNS was avoided in 78 of 80 patients (97.5%), the primary endpoint was significant (97.5% vs. 90%, p = 0.01). Conclusion: During CRT-D implantation, PNS occurred in 15% of patients. In most (97.5%) implanted patients, PNS could be avoided by vector reprogramming using a bipolar LV lead. For patients whose coronary sinus anatomy precludes the implantation of multi-electrode leads, bipolar leads are a suitable, reliable alternative.
Phrenic Nerve Stimulation Pacing Vectors Left Ventricular Lead Bipolar Lead Quadripolar Lead1. Introduction
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established therapy for heart failure (HF) patients presenting with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, a low ejection fraction and a wide QRS, despite optimal drug therapy [1] . To ensure the effectiveness of the CRT therapy, both ventricles have to be synchronously paced. Major issues that limit the continuous delivery of CRT are high LV pacing thresholds and phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS) [2] .
PNS occurs in up to one third of patients at implant [3] . With the exception of LV repositioning, which prolongs implantation time and is possible only if anatomy is suitable, an alternative for bypassing PNS is to reprogram LV polarity. The introduction of quadripolar LV leads allows greater programmability with 10 - 17 vectors available [4] [5] [6] . These leads give the implanting physicians more choice compared to traditional LV bipolar leads. However, in certain patients, difficulty in passing multiple electrodes into coronary sinus tributaries with acute angulations and multiple bends is observed [7] . In these patients, a bipolar lead may offer a reliable alternative.
In the ORPHEE study, we investigated the ability of standard LV bipolar leads to overcome PNS. Three ventricular pacing vectors were assessed: LV tip - LV ring, LV tip - RV ring and LV ring - RV coil.
2. Methods2.1. Study Design and Device Implantation
ORPHEE was a French multicenter, observational, prospective study. Patients were enrolled if eligible for an implantation of a CRT-D (defibrillator) device (de novo or replacement, PARADYM or INTENSIA, LivaNova) according to current guidelines at the time of inclusion [8] . The choice of right atrial, right ventricular and bipolar LV leads was left to investigators’ discretion. Once the position of the LV lead was judged satisfactory (stability and LV pacing threshold < 2.5 V) by the clinician and ascertained using a venogram, the presence of PNS was tested using a program system analyzer. Three different vectors, LV tip - LV ring, LV tip - RV ring, and LV ring - RV coil (Figure 1) were tested to overcome PNS.
Follow-up visits were scheduled at 1 to 3 months and 6 and 9 months post- implant. Follow-up data collection included assessments of adverse events, collection of sensing, and thresholds using the programmer (Orchestra or Orchestra +, LivaNova). In the case of PNS detection, vector reprogramming was attempted.
The study was declared to all competent authorities in France. Enrolled patients gave their informed consent and the study conduct complied with Good Clinical Practice and the Helsinki Declaration.
2.2. Primary Study Objectives
The primary endpoint of the study was to demonstrate that three different programmable LV vectors could overcome PNS in at least 90% of implants. Success was defined as either an absence of PNS (detected at 7 V) or resolution of PNS by vector reprogramming using one of the three LV pacing vectors (LV tip - LV ring, LV tip - RV ring, and LV ring - RV coil―Figure 1). A failure to overcome PNS by reprogramming was not counted as a success for the primary objective.
2.3. Statistical Analysis
The intention-to-treat population included all patients successfully implanted with an evaluable primary endpoint (LV pacing threshold < 2.5 V and PNS tested). The primary endpoint was compared with 90% pre-specified value using one-sided test for binomial proportion at an alpha level of 0.05. The safety population included all patients successfully implanted. Categorical variables are reported as frequencies and percentages, and continuous variables as mean ± standard deviation. Analyses were performed using SAS software version 9.4.
3. Results3.1. Study Population and Implant
A total of 90 patients were implanted at 17 French centers, from September 28, 2012, to January 29, 2015. At enrollment, the patient population had a mean age of 70.2 ± 8.9 years old and a mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 28.0% ± 5.5%. A summary of patient demographics is provided in Table 1.
The implant success rate was 100%, 91% of patients with primary indication and 9% with secondary indication (83.3% of de novo implants, 16.7% upgrades). The LV leads implanted were from different manufacturers: Medtronic (48%), Saint Jude (21%), Sorin (16%), Boston Scientific (8%) and Biotronik (7%). The LV lead positions are presented in Table 1.
Demographic and implant parameters in ORPHEE participants (n = 90)
Demographic and implant parameters
Characteristics Male gender Age (years) Ischemic cardiomyopathy NYHA class II/III ECG characteristics QRS duration (ms) LBBB Conduction disorder Sinus node disease Chronic AF Paroxysmal AF Medications Beta-blockers Diuretics ACE inhibitor Amiodarone Comorbidities Atrial hypertension Diabetes mellitus Coronary angioplasty Sleep apnea LV lead position (final vein) Lateral Posterolateral Anterior Posterior Great cardiac vein Position in the vein Proximal Mid Distal
Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation [minimum; maximum] or numbers and percentages. ACE―angiotensin-converting enzyme, AF―atrial fibrillation, ECG―electrocardiogram, LBBB―left bundle branch block, LV―left ventricular, NYHA―New York Heart Association.
Out of the 90 patients implanted, 84.4% attended the first follow-up visit (M1-M3) and 71.1% attended the second follow-up visit (M6-M9). Reasons for discontinuation were: death (7.8%), patient withdrawal (4.4%), patients lost to follow-up (8.9%), explantation (1.1%), and other reasons (6.7%).
3.2. Primary Study Objective
Of the 90 patients implanted, 9 patients had an LV threshold > 2.5 V and in one patient, the PNS threshold was not tested; therefore 80 patients were eligible for the primary endpoint. Out of the 80 evaluable patients, 68 patients did not experience any PNS, while 12 patients experienced PNS.
The presence of PNS was successfully overcome in 10 out of 12 patients (Figure 2); therefore success for the primary analysis was met in 78 patients (78 patients out of 80, 97.5%) and the primary objective was reached (p = 0.01). The vector programming that overcame PNS is presented in Table 2.
The successful vectors were LV ring - RV coil in 8 patients (8/10, 80%), LV tip - LV ring in 1 patient (1/10, 10%), and LV tip - RV ring in 1 patient (1/10, 10%). In two patients, PNS couldn’t be resolved at implant. Device programmed output was adjusted to a lower value and PNS was no longer reported at the follow-up 6 months later.
In the total population (n = 90), the final programmed LV vectors were LV tip - LV ring (37.1%), LV tip - RV ring (32.6%) and LV ring - RV coil (30.3%).
3.3. Deaths and Device- or Procedure-Related Adverse Events
During a mean follow-up duration of 226.3 ± 98.7 days, 7 cardiovascular deaths (7.8%) were reported with the following causes: septic shock, HF, cardiac arrest,
Reprogramming in patients with PNS at 7 V―primary objective (n = 80)
Reprogramming in patients with PNS at 7V―Primary objective (n = 80)
Patient code
PNS threshold
Reprogramming success/failure
Center ANN4, #1 Center ANT2, #2 Center CRT1, #5 Center CRT1, #10 Center CRT1, #24 Center LRI1, #2 Center MA12, #3 Center MPL9, #2 Center NCY6, #7 Center PRP2, #1 Center PRP2, #3 Center PRP2, #7
6.5 V 1.0 V 1.0 V 1.0 V 9.0 V 1.0 V 1.0 V 2.0 V 3.0 V 6.0 V 3.0 V 3.0 V
Success with vector LV ring - RV coil Success with vector LV ring - RV coil Success with vector LV ring - RV coil Success with vector LV ring - RV coil Success with vector LV ring - RV coil Failure Success with vector LV ring - RV coil Failure Success with vector LV tip - LV ring Success with vector LV ring - RV coil Success with vector LV tip - RV ring Success with vector LV ring - RV coil
intracerebral hemorrhage, cardiogenic shock, and two deaths of unknown cause.
In addition, an inappropriate shock due to an atrial flutter conducting to the ventricles was reported 3 weeks after implant. Two dislodgements of an LV lead occurred, one resolved by repositioning and one reprogrammed in VVI.
4. Discussion
In this French, multicenter, observational study, PNS occurred in 15% of patients during CRT-D implant. In this observational setting, a bipolar lead with 3 pacing vector configurations avoided PNS in 97.5% of the patients.
PNS turns out to be a relevant issue for LV stimulation delivery as it has been reported in up to one third of CRT-D implant patients and may lead to inaccurate lead placement, lead repositioning, safety margin reprogramming, and ultimately CRT discontinuation in cases where no solutions can prevent the symptoms of PNS [9] [10] [11] . Due to the path of the left phrenic nerve, it is likely that phrenic stimulation is elicited through case by case adjustment of the pacing vector [12] . In this context, quadripolar leads, through multiple pacing vector possibilities, have been shown to efficiently deliver CRT-D therapy, while overcoming PNS. In different studies, almost all PNS was managed (99.7% to 100%) [13] [14] . Nevertheless, more electrodes might result in excessive lead stiffness, leading to reduced maneuverability [15] . In certain patients, difficulty in passing all 4 electrodes into coronary sinus tributaries with acute angulations and multiple bends was reported [7] . Moreover, in reality, quadripolar leads are most of the time programmed to pace using a bipolar configuration between the second and the third electrode. The proximal and the distal electrodes are not commonly used because of high pacing thresholds and PNS, respectively. A bipolar lead may have advantages in this situation.
In ORPHEE, bipolar leads avoided PNS in 97.5% of the patients at implant. This result is in the range of previously reported rates of PNS with bipolar leads, ranging from 1% [16] to 13% [17] . Therefore, bipolar leads remain a reliable and suitable alternative in patients whose anatomy prevents multiple electrode implantation. It can also be noted that, among the 3 available pacing vectors, PNS was successfully addressed with the same programming (LV ring - RV coil) in 80% of patients, thus questioning the need to increase the number of pacing vectors in bipolar leads.
It is also noteworthy that not all PNS detected at implant with quadripolar leads can be resolved by reprogramming, with a need for repositioning during the implant. The systematic use of quadripolar leads should not obviate the need for proper PNS assessment during implant [18] . In addition, the multiplicity of electrodes leads to increased lead stiffness, which may impact lead longevity [15] . Finally, high left pacing thresholds were reported with quadripolar leads in a nonconventional configuration, which could significantly impact device longevity [18] .
Study Limitations
Our study included a relatively small number of patients, and reports data at implant only as all data were not readily available after implant.
5. Conclusion
Our study reveals a high rate of successful management of PNS with bipolar leads, at implant. These results advocate the pertinence of bipolar leads as a reliable and suitable alternative in patients whose coronary sinus anatomy prevents easy implantation of leads with multiple electrodes.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the trial participants and investigators who made the study possible; Aline Chundydyal for her support in study management; Frédérique Maneval and Anne Rousseau-Plasse, PhD, for editorial assistance; and Françoise Tondu, for statistical support.
Disclosures
The OPRHEE study was sponsored by LivaNova (Clamart, France). All authors received fees from LivaNova. Dr Lellouche has received consulting fees from Medtronic, Boston Scientific, St Jude, and LivaNova.
Cite this paper
Benkemoun, H., Pons, M., Kubler, L., Bader, H., Dompnier, A., Moini, C., Leroy-Salaun, B. and Lellouche, N. (2017) Bipolar Leads for Prevention of Phrenic Nerve Stimulation: Results from the ORPHEE Observational Study. World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, 7, 323-331. https://doi.org/10.4236/wjcd.2017.710030
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