Independent multicenter study of Riata and Riata ST implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads.

Background Riata and Riata ST leads (St Jude Medical, Sylmar, CA) are prone to failure. There are no independent multicenter reports regarding Riata or Riata ST lead performance. Objective To conduct a retrospective multicenter study of Riata and Riata ST leads that were implanted and followed at 7 centers. Methods The study included adults who received St Jude Medical Riata or Riata ST leads. Data for Quattro Secure leads were obtained from an earlier study. Results From 2002 to 2010, 1081 patients received a Riata (n = 774) or Riata ST (n = 307) lead. Follow-up was longer for Riata than Riata ST leads (4.2±2.4 years vs 3.3±1.7 years; P P P = .422). Conclusions The survival of Riata (but not Riata ST) leads was lower than Quattro leads; however, Riata ST leads had significantly shorter follow-up than Riata leads. ECs were common in Riata leads, and more than a quarter of Riata leads that had ECs were malfunctioning. Our observations suggest that systematic fluoroscopic examination of patients with Riata leads is appropriate.