Low-energy epicardial pacing in children: the benefit of autocapture.

Abstract Background . Permanent cardiac pacing in children results commonly in augmented energy consumption because of the high pacing rates and the ample stimulation safety margin applied in children. Cardiovascular anatomy and limited venous access sometimes preclude the otherwise preferred endocardial approach. In this multicenter patient series, we studied the feasibility, safety, and energy saving obtained by a combination of steroid-eluting epicardial leads with autocapture devices capable of ongoing adjustment of the stimulation output to the prevailing threshold. Methods . Autocapture devices (Pacesetter Microny SR+ and Regency SR+; Pacesetter, Solna, Sweden) and steroid-eluting epi…