Performance and safety of the microport vega pacing lead: a single-centre real-world experience
D Barbaro, S Evans, E Callisto, C Wong, D LauAbstract
Background
Permanent pacing is an essential tool to manage bradyarrhythmias and reliable lead performance is critical. Lead failure can negatively impact patient outcomes. While there is an abundance of performance and safety data for most pacing leads, the MicroPort Vega lead (introduced in 2017) has limited real-world data. The study aims to address this evidence gap.
Purpose
We aimed to evaluate the acute and long-term clinical performance and safety of the MicroPort Vega active fixation lead. Key endpoints included acute complications (including dislodgement or perforation) and late occurrences of lead failure or significant capture threshold elevation >2.0V at 0.4ms pulse width.
Methods
We conducted a single-centre, retrospective study of all patients receiving MicroPort Vega active fixation leads during pacemaker and defibrillator implant procedures at a tertiary teaching hospital from December 2019 to February 2025. Individual case notes were audited in October 2025 using electronic health records and pacemaker clinic reports to identify acute and long-term lead complications.
Results
A total of 338 Vega leads (146 in the right atrium and 192 in the right ventricle) were implanted in 198 patients (mean age 81.3±8 years, 37% female) with a median follow-up of 431.5 days (IQR 115-1112) and total follow-up duration of 572 lead-years. The most frequently implanted pulse generator was the Alizea DR (38%) and most common indication was sinus node dysfunction. Acute complications included: dislodgement in 3.4% (n=5) of atrial leads (95% CI 1.1-7.8) and 1.6% (n=3) of ventricular leads (95% CI 0.3-4.5). All dislodged leads were re-positioned with no clinical sequelae. No acute perforations occurred. One patient experienced delayed pericardial effusion which did not require intervention. At latest follow-up, the median capture threshold was 0.75V (IQR 0.69-0.75) in the atria and 0.75V (IQR 0.75-1.0) in the ventricles, with no incidence of capture threshold >2.0V. Both lead impedance and sensing parameters were stable from implant to last follow-up, and there was no incidence of lead failure or late dislodgement.
Conclusion(s)
In this single-centre study, the MicroPort Vega leads demonstrated stable electrical performance over follow-up duration of 572 lead years. Overall incidence of acute dislodgement rate was 2.4%, which remained within range of other published studies. This data affirms the Vega lead performance in real-world-use, but larger registries are needed for definitive benchmarking.