A technique for ventricular pacing from the His bundle of the intact heart

Abstract

A technique for ventricular pacing by His bundle stimulation of the intact heart is described. After thoracotomy fine Teflon-coated stainless steel wires are inserted into the His bundle without cardiotomy. Recording of His bundle activity can thus be accomplished as well as pacing of the ventricles from the same site. In contrast to direct stimulation of the ventricles, pacing of the His bundle produces no change in the amplitude, configuration, or duration of ventricular activity recorded in the peripheral electrocardiograms or in ventricular electrograms from random sites. Ventricular pacing of the intact heart can be performed acutely while maintaining normal sequential ventricular activation.