Leadless left ventricular stimulation with WiSE-CRT System - Initial experience and results from phase I of SOLVE-CRT Study (nonrandomized, roll-in phase)

BACKGROUND Left ventricular (LV) endocardial pacing is a promising method to deliver cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). WiSE-CRT is a wireless LV endocardial pacing system, and delivers ultrasonic energy to an LV electrode. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to present short-term outcomes with the WiSE-CRT system in centers with no prior implanting experience. METHODS Data were prospectively collected from 19 centers where WiSE-CRT systems were implanted during the roll-in phase of the SOLVE-CRT trial. Patients were followed at 1, 3, and 6 months, including transthoracic echo (TTE) at 6 months. RESULTS The WiSE-CRT was successfully implanted in all 31 attempted cases, and 30 patients completed the 6-month follow-up. One patient underwent heart transplantation 1 month after implantation, and was excluded. Fourteen (46.7%) patients demonstrated >= 1 NYHA class improvement. TTE data were available in 29 patients. LV ejection fraction, LV end-systolic volume, and LV end-diastolic volume improved from 28.3% +/- 6.7% to 33.5% +/- 6.9% (P < .001), 134.9 +/- 51.3 mL to 111.1 +/- 40.3 mL (P = .0004), and 185.4 +/- 58.8 mL to 164.9 +/- 50.6 mL (P = .0017), respectively. There were 3 (9.7%) device-related type 1 complications: 1 insufficient LV pacing, 1 embolization of an unanchored LV electrode, and 1 skin infection. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated a high success rate of LV endocardial electrode placement in centers with no prior implanting experience. Favorable clinical responses in heart failure symptoms and significant LV reverse remodeling were noted.