Transvenous pacemaker implantation after the bidirectional Glenn operation for patients with complex congenital disease

The bidirectional Glenn operation for congenital heart disease produces anatomical constraints to conventional transvenous pacemaker implantation. An iliac approach, although not previously described in this population, is potentially a preferable alternative to a thoracotomy for epicardial pacing. Methods and results A single‐center retrospective review was performed for all patients that underwent transvenous pacemaker implantation following the bidirectional Glenn operation with partial biventricular repair. Follow‐up data, implant indications, and techniques were recorded. Five patients underwent a transvenous iliac approach (median age 26.9 years, interquartile range [IQR] 25.8–27.6). Pacing indications included AV block in 3 patients (2 requiring cardiac resychronization therapy) and sinus node dysfunction in 2. Implanted leads were atrial in 4 and ventricular in 3 (1 of the latter was placed in the coronary sinus). In two cases, transvenous leads were tunneled to a preexisting epicardial abdominal generator. Median follow‐up was 4.1 years (range 1.0–16.7 years). One patient underwent device revision for lead position‐related groin discomfort; a second patient developed atrial lead failure following a Maze operation and underwent lead replacement by the iliac approach. Patients were not routinely anticoagulated postprocedure given lead position in the subpulmonary circulation. At last follow‐up, all patients were alive. One patient underwent heart transplantation 6 months after implant with only partial resolution of pacing‐induced cardiomyopathy. Conclusions Trans‐iliac pacemaker placement may be an effective alternative to surgery for patients requiring permanent pacing after the Glenn operation.