Permanent ventricular pacing via the great cardiac vein.

Two cases of left ventricular pacing via the great cardiac vein are presented. A 64-year-old female with a mechanical prosthetic tricuspid valve and slow atrial fibrillation had a failed attempt at pacing from the middle cardiac vein. In a 58-year-old male with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and bradycardia tachycardia syndrome, transvenous permanent pacing could not be achieved via the right ventricle or middle cardiac vein. In both cases, successful pacing via the great cardiac vein was achieved but with an elevated stimulation threshold. These cases illustrate an alternate transvenous route when difficulties occur using standard ventricular pacing sites.