What is a significant risk associated with pacing the conduction system?

The significant risk associated with pacing the conduction system is the potential for lead displacement or malposition. This risk arises because conducting system pacing involves placing leads in or near the heart's conduction pathways, such as the His bundle or the bundle branches. If the leads become displaced or malpositioned, it can prevent proper electrical activation of the ventricles, potentially leading to inadequate cardiac function and arrhythmias. Proper lead placement is crucial for the effectiveness of the pacing system and for ensuring synchronized contraction of the heart chambers.

This risk must be carefully monitored and managed during the pacing procedure, as any discrepancies in lead positioning can compromise the entire pacing setup, leading to ineffective treatment of bradycardia or other cardiac conditions requiring pacing. Thus, the focus on lead integrity and placement during procedure preparation and follow-up is essential in conduction system pacing.