Advantages of LV-LP guided by Inner-Cath in CRT upgrade
In upgrading a pacemaker to a CRT device, severe stenosis or occlusion of the subclavian vein has been a critical problem, identified in from 13 to 35% of patients undergoing CRT upgrade (22). Venoplasty of the subclavian and/or brachiocephalic veins is one of the options for achieving LV-LP through the occluded or stenotic subclavian vein, but remains challenging (23). The smaller Inner-Cath is clearly superior to the larger Outer-Cath in terms of inserting a sheath through the occluded or stenotic subclavian veins.