• Andrzej Zabek, Barbara Malecka, Kazimierz Haberka, Krzysztof Boczar, Roman Pfitzner, Maciej Debski, and Jacek Lelakowski.
• Acta Cardiol. 2015 Dec 1; 70 (6): 685-92.

IntroductionTransvenous lead extraction (TLE) is a recognized method of treatment in the case of permanent stimulation complication.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to analyse the indications and presentation of the early experience of TLE procedures in a group of patients with old pacing systems.Patients And MethodsPatients with a relevant history of stimulation (at least 12 months in case of a pacemaker) qualified for the research. Indications, effectiveness and complications of TLE procedures were analysed.ResultsTwo hundred patients at the age of 66.4 (19.1-86.2 years) were enrolled and 278 leads with dwell time 76.2 months (2.1-327.4) were removed. The indications for TLE were: lead-dependent infective endocarditis in 13 cases (6.5%), pocket infection in 29 cases (14.5%), lead damage in 120 cases (60.0%), and upgrade of device system in 38 cases (19.0%). Manual traction was used to remove 66 active fixation leads (23.7%). A femoral approach was required to extract 4 leads (1.4%). Two hundred and eight leads (74.8%) were extracted using the mechanical (Cook) system and subclavian approach. Laser technique, and an electrosurgical sheath were not used. Complete procedural success was achieved in 96% of cases and overall clinical success was 98.5%. Complication rate was 5.5% (11 patients): minor and major complication rate was 3.0% (6 patients) and 2.5% (5 cases), respectively. Low body mass index (BMI) was associated with a higher rate of complications.ConclusionsThe dominant indication to TLE procedures was lead dysfunction. Transvenous lead extraction has a high success rate and a low complication rate. Low BMI increased the complication rate.

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