Circulation. Arrhythmia and electrophysiology
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Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol · Aug 2019
Endovascular Occlusion Balloon for Treatment of Superior Vena Cava Tears During Transvenous Lead Extraction: A Multiyear Analysis and an Update to Best Practice Protocol.
Superior vena cava (SVC) tears are one of the most lethal complications in transvenous lead extraction. An endovascular balloon can occlude the SVC in the event of a laceration, preventing blood loss and offering a more controlled surgical field for repair. An early study demonstrated that proper use of this device is associated with reduced mortality. Thereafter, high-volume extractors at the Eleventh Annual Lead Management Symposium developed a best practice protocol for the endovascular balloon. ⋯ From July 1, 2016, through July 31, 2018, patients undergoing lead extraction were more likely to survive SVC tears when treatment included an endovascular balloon.