CARDIAC PACING LEAD AND DELIVERY SYSTEM

摘要

This invention is a pacing lead (20) that is useful for trans-venous pacing of the left ventricle, particularly in patients with congestive heart failure. The pacing lead includes a tapered body (26) of reduced diameter at its distal end (24), and at least one electrode (28a, 28b) positioned in the area of the thin distal end of the tapering body. A floppy coil (22) is attached as an integral part of the tapered body, or provided as a separate component, to serve as a guide wire for steering the pacing lead. Also provided is a sheath delivery system for delivery of the pacing lead into the coronary sinus or a distal cardiac vein. The delivery system includes a J tipped guide wire inserted into the right atrium or right ventricle from a cephalic or subclavian vein, a sheath with preformed curve, and a dilator, wherein the sheath, with the dilator postioned therein, is advanced over the guide wire placed into the right ventricle; and the guide wire and dilator thereafter removable to cannulate the ostium of the coronary sinus or a distal cardiac vein, and provide guidance for a pacing lead advanced through the sheath into the coronary sinus.