Atrial Programmed Pacing*

Abstract

Early experience with a J-shaped lead inserted transvenously into the right atrial appendage is reviewed in thirty-one patients. Fifteen patients are still being followed with satisfactory atrial programmed pacing for five to ten years. A dislodgement rate of twenty percent led to the development of the "tined" J lead in the hope that better fixation would be achieved. Experimental data has shown the new lead to be stable with evidence in both animal and man of firm fixation of the lead in the appendage. The lead has been inserted in twenty patients. Of these, fifteen are still being followed with satisfactory atrial programmed pacing. There has been no case of dislodgement of the lead in a follow-up period of two years and eight months.