Initial Experience with Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing with Conventional Stylet-Driven Extendable Screw-In Leads and New Pre-Shaped Delivery Sheaths

Until recently, left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAp) has mostly been performed using lumen-less fixed screw leads. There are limited data on LBBAp with conventional style-driven extendable screw-in (SDES) leads, particularly data performed by operators with no previous experience with LBBAp procedures. In total, 42 consecutive patients undergoing LBBAp using SDES leads and newly designed delivery sheaths (LBBAp group) were compared with those treated with conventional right ventricular pacing (RVp) for atrioventricular block (RVp group, n = 84) using propensity score matching (1:2 ratio). The LBBAp was successful in 83% (35/42) of patients, with satisfactory pacing thresholds (0.8 +/- 0.2 V at 0.4 ms). In the LBBAp group, the mean paced-QRS duration obtained during RV apical pacing (173 +/- 18 ms) was significantly reduced by LBBAp (116 +/- 14 ms, p < 0.001). Compared with the RVp group, the LBBAp group showed more physiological pacing, suggested by a much narrower paced-QRS duration (116 +/- 14 vs. 151 +/- 21 ms, p < 0.001). The pacing threshold was comparable in both groups. The LBBAp group revealed stable pacing thresholds for 6.8 +/- 4.8 months post-implant and no serious complications including lead dislodgement or septal perforation. The novel approach of LBBAp using SDES leads and the new dedicated pre-shaped delivery sheaths was effectively and safely performed, even by inexperienced operators with LBBAp procedures.