Active lead fixation involves which mechanism?

Active lead fixation involves which mechanism?

• A. A helix screwed into the endocardium
• B. Tines lodge into trabeculae
• C. Sutures fix the lead to the chest wall
• D. The lead has no fixation mechanism

Answer: (A)

Active fixation involves a screw-in mechanism, a retractable helix at the lead tip that is rotated into the endocardial myocardium. This direct engagement with heart tissue provides secure, stable anchoring, allowing precise placement and reducing the chance of lead dislodgement after implantation. It also lets you reposition by unscrewing if the lead isn’t ideally seated. By contrast, tines offer passive fixation by catching on trabeculae, which is less controllable. Suturing the lead to the chest wall isn’t how transvenous leads are anchored, and saying there is no fixation mechanism is incorrect because the screw-in helix is the fixation method.

Active fixation involves a screw-in mechanism, a retractable helix at the lead tip that is rotated into the endocardial myocardium. This direct engagement with heart tissue provides secure, stable anchoring, allowing precise placement and reducing the chance of lead dislodgement after implantation. It also lets you reposition by unscrewing if the lead isn’t ideally seated. By contrast, tines offer passive fixation by catching on trabeculae, which is less controllable. Suturing the lead to the chest wall isn’t how transvenous leads are anchored, and saying there is no fixation mechanism is incorrect because the screw-in helix is the fixation method.