The Alpha-bent and Tunneling: A Novel Technique for Fixing the Transvenous Pacer Lead during Temporary Transvenous Pacing in the Emergency Department

Abstract

The last step in the management of symptomatic bradycardia according to the advanced cardiac life support algorithm is temporary transvenous pacemaker insertion (TPI). TPI done by an emergency physician in the emergency department (ED) is on the rise particularly in South India owing to the increased incidence of yellow oleander poisoning. As in ED, we use passive fixation leads, fixation of a transvenous pacer lead is very important. In the following case series, we describe two novel techniques namely, "the alpha-bent" and "tunneling" for fixing the transvenous pacer lead. This technique of fixing the lead reduces lead displacement thus minimizing the potential complications.

Keywords: Fixation of pacer lead; symptomatic bradycardia; temporary transvenous pacemaker; the alpha-bent; tunneling.