Current of injury is an indicator of lead depth and performance during left bundle branch pacing lead implantation

Background: Monitoring of lead depth is crucial to achieve left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) with a low capture threshold and avoid septal perforation, but lacks informative approach.

Objective: We aimed to prospectively assess the predictive value of current of injury on the occurrence of inadequate left bundle branch (LBB) capture threshold and acute septal perforation.

Methods: Consecutive patients who received LBBP were enrolled. ST-segment elevation ≥ 25% of intrinsic R-wave amplitude on the unipolar intracardiac electrogram was defined as a sign of distinct current of injury. An LBB capture threshold of <1.5 V/0.5 ms was considered acceptable.

Results: LBBP was attempted 513 times in 212 patients. The LBB capture threshold was more likely to improve to an acceptable level after 10 minutes in leads with initial (33 of 47 vs 0 of 8, with vs without) and residual (29 of 33 vs 4 of 14, with vs without) current of injury recorded on the tip electrode (P < .0001). Lead perforation during the procedure has occurred in 11 patients who had no current of injury noted on the tip electrode. The ratio of current of injury recorded on the tip electrode to that on the ring electrode was correlated to the lead depth determined by sheath angiography (Spearman correlation coefficient -0.624; P < .0001), and microperforation is highly possible when the ratio is decreased to <1 (sensitivity 100%; specificity 96.6%).

Conclusion: Current of injury is a useful tool in forecasting LBBP lead depth and septal perforation, and it could facilitate the decision-making process when the initial LBB capture threshold is undesirable.