Introduction Epicardial pacemakers are known as an alternative for endocardial pacemakers in some cases such as heart block, and complex congenital heart diseases. Considering recent advances and improvement of epicardial lead subtypes, it is essential to investigate the long‐term function of them. In this study, we aimed to assess the sensing and pacing characteristics, and survival of bipolar steroid‐eluting and unipolar nonsteroid‐eluting epicardial pacemakers. Methods We conducted an entirely concentrated search on the documents of all patients who had undergone epicardial lead implantation in the Shaheed Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical & Research Center during 2015–2018. Implant, and follow‐up data were extracted. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Weibull regression hazards model were applied for the survival analysis. Results Eighty‐nine leads were implanted for 77 patients. Of the total leads, 52.81%, 53.93%, and 47.19% were implanted in children (under 18‐year‐old), females, and patients with congenital heart diseases, respectively. Bipolar steroid‐eluting leads comprised 33.71% of 89 leads. The pacing threshold of unipolar nonsteroid‐eluting leads that were implanted on the left ventricle and right atrium increased significantly during the follow‐up to greater records than bipolar steroid‐eluting leads. Survival analysis also revealed that bipolar steroid‐eluting leads are significantly better in 48‐month survival (Weibull hazard ratio [HR]: 0.13 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02–0.99), p = .049). Age, ventricular location of the lead, and acute pacing characteristics were not associated with survival. Conclusions Bipolar steroid‐eluting epicardial leads have an acceptable survival compared with unipolar nonsteroid‐eluting, without a significant difference regarding patients age. Therefore, they could be an excellent alternative for endocardial ones.

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Background: There are many reports regarding to effects of Granulocyte colonystimulating factor (G-CSF) and stem cell factor (SCF)alone in liver repair .But conflicting data have been reported regarding the role of growth factors such as G-CSF and SCF in the liver regeneration system. Also, there is not such data regarding to effects of co-administration both of G-CSF and SCF in the liver damage condition. Materials and Methods: An experimental model of rat liver damage induced by the thioacetamide. Five different groups of animals receiving 0.9% NaCl, TAA alone, TAA + G-CSF, TAA + SCF and TAA + (G-CSF+SCF).The activity of glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT/AlT)and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT/AST) were measured after the thioacetamide (TAA) injection and the administration of combination of G-CSF +SCF for 12 weeks. Also histological tests were carried out at the end experiments. Results: The pre-treatment of combination of G-CSF and SCF for 12 weeks reduced the degree of liver injury. The mean of GOT activity was 61.24 (U/L) in the G-CSF +SCF and versus 132.86 in the TAA-alone group. These differences in the GOT activity were statistically significant (P<0.05). Also, in the G-CSF +SCF and TAA group the mean of GPT activity (4.35 versus 11.79, respectively) were lower than in the TAA-alone group, this difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Liver sections from a rat treated only with TAA, showing damage, but TAA and G-CSF + SCF no significant damage is present. On the other hand histological results revealed a very mild degree of inflammation were observed in the livers of the combination of G-SCF+SCF and TAA-treated rats compared to TAA only treated group. Conclusion: Biochemical and microscopic analysis revealed that combination of G-CSF and SCF pre-treatment significantly enhances liver regeneration after TAA-induced liver injury.