Performance of LINOX ICD Leads: A Single Center Experience

Background:
An early failure of ICD leads/ LINOX/BIOTRONIK was reported from several centers

Aim:
To report performance of LINOX leads in one referral center and compare it to other manufacturer`s ICD leads

Methods:
All patients who had ICD implantation with LINOX/ BIOTRNOIK between 2007-2016 were included in this study. We looked for failure of LINOX ICD lead . The rate of failure was compared to Medtronic 6944/6947 leads which were implanted at the same period

Results:
The study cohort included 340 patients who had ICD/CRTD implantation with LINOX ICD leads followed for 6-105 months (mean 45.7 ±7. median 44 months). 12 patients (3.5%) had failure of LINOX 61.2 ± 22.9 months post implantation (median 66.5 months). In 3 of them the failure occurred post replacement: immediately in 1 patient, and after 9 and 34 months in 2 patients. Noise with inappropriate VT/VF detection with or without therapy was seen in 10 patients. High pacing threshold and high impedance were detected in 2 patients. The rate of LINOX failure is not significantly different than rate of Medtronic 6944/6947 ICD leads failure over the same time period (1.8%, p=0.1)

Conclusion: Failure of LINOX ICD lead occurred in 3.5% of cases over approximately 5 years and mostly presented as noise and inappropriate VT/VF detection and therapy. This rate of failure is comparable with Medtronic 6944/6947 ICD leads. Longer follow up is needed to determine longer term performance