Abstract

DUQUE, Mauricio et al. Initial experience with mechanical percutaneous extraction of cardiac pacing leads. Rev. Colomb. Cardiol. [online]. 2015, vol.22, n.3, pp.136-143. ISSN 0120-5633.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rccar.2015.02.006.

Introduction: The extraction of cardiac pacing leads is infrequent in Colombia, partly owing to the high cost of the devices used during the percutaneous procedure and to the widespread perception of its unacceptably high risk. This has led to a large number of malfunctioning or infected leads abandoned or surgically removed. With this in mind, we developed a mechanical lead extraction program aiming to avoid surgical removal of leads while at the same time maintaining reasonable costs in comparison with laser based extraction devices. Materials and methods: Between November 2012 and September 2014, every patient who required lead extraction according to current guidelines was included. Patient characteristics, lead type, type of cardiac stimulation device, reason for extraction and complications where prospectively registered in a previously designed questionnaire. Results: A total of 37 patients (29 male, 78%) with an average age of 67 years (range 24-91 years) required mechanical lead extraction, most of them infection-related (56.7%). Procedural success was 98.4%, with 1 major complication (2.7%) and 1 minor complication (2.7%). There were no deaths. Conclusions: Lead extraction undertaken by well-trained electrophysiologists has excellent results with a low rate of major and minor complications. The use of mechanical lead extraction devices is a viable option with a reasonable cost in our country, avoiding the need for surgical removal of leads or the need of laser devices.

Keywords : Electrical stimulation; Pacemaker leads; Electronic devices; Pacemakers.

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