Stimulation Characteristics of a Steroid‐Eluting Electrode Compared with Three Conventional Electrodes

Stimulation thresholds of a steroid-eluting electrode (Medtronic CapSure 4003, 9 patients) were compared with three conventional electrodes (carbon-tipped lead, Siemens-Elema 423 S/60, 10 patients; Elgiloy-tipped lead, Cordis Encor, 10 patients; platinum-tipped lead, Telectronix Laserdish 030-276, 9 patients). Voltage thresholds were determined during implantation, 1-3 days, 6 weeks, and 6 months postimplantation. No significant difference among the four electrodes was found in regard to stimulation and sensing behavior during implantation. Compared to intraoperative measurements, mean increase in voltage threshold and absolute voltage thresholds were substantially less for the steroid-eluting electrode than for the other tested electrodes 6 weeks and 6 months after implantation. The rheobasechronaxie product, a parameter of the stimulation performance of electrodes, underlined the superior pacing characteristics of the steroid-eluting electrode. To achieve low chronic stimulation threshold by pharmacological means is an attractive direction for future electrode technology.