Prevalence of externalized conductors in Riata and Riata ST silicone leads: results from the prospective, multicenter Riata Lead Evaluation Study

Background/objective: Following a class I recall of St. Jude Medical Riata/Riata ST silicone implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads, we report on the phase I results of the Riata Lead Evaluation Study, a prospective, multicenter investigation to assess the prevalence of externalized conductors (ECs) and the electrical dysfunction in these leads.

Methods: We enrolled patients previously implanted with Riata/Riata ST leads and performed cinefluoroscopy using multiple views. A physician panel adjudicated the images for the presence of EC. The prevalence of EC was stratified and compared by lead model and patient characteristics. Upon occurrence of a lead revision, another physician panel determined whether electrical dysfunction had occurred based on predefined criteria.

Results: Seven hundred seventy six patients with Riata/Riata ST silicone leads (8Fr/7Fr = 66.6%/33.4%; single-/dual-coil = 12.9%/87.1%) across 23 centers were analyzed. Implant duration was 4.8 ± 0.9 years for 7Fr and 6.5 ± 1.6 years for 8Fr leads (P <.001). The prevalence of EC was significantly lower in 7Fr compared with 8Fr leads for the entire study population (9.3% vs 24.2%, P < .001) and for leads implanted ≤6 years (9.4% vs 18.8%, P = .006). Other than lead size, there were no significant differences in lead, patient, or electrical characteristics between leads with and without EC. Over a period of 9.8 ± 2.0 months, the overall prevalence of electrical dysfunction was 1.3% (confidence interval 0.49%-2.1%), with only 3 of 10 cases occurring in leads with EC.

Conclusion: Larger-diameter Riata leads were more prone to EC than smaller-diameter Riata ST leads. The prevalence of electrical dysfunction was not associated with EC.