Feasibility and safety of a transvenous lead extraction program implementation in South America: Challenges, early
Pablo Salazar1, Armando Pérez-Silva1, Alex Villablanca1
1Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology Division, Hospital las Higuera's, Talcahuano, Chile.
Background:
Transvenous lead extraction is the standard of care for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) malfunction/infection-related removal. However, data on its performance and results in underdeveloped countries are limited.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to report the feasibility and efficacy of a lead extraction program in a tertiary hospital in Chile, South America.
Methods:
Patients requiring CIED removal at the Electrophysiology Division of the Hospital las Higuera's were retrospectively analyzed. Outcomes including procedure-related mortality, procedural success and failure, and cardiac and vascular complications were reported.
Results:
A total of 15 patients were analyzed (median age 68 [interquartile range 52-75] years; 80% male). Patients with lead extraction difficulty index >10 represented 33% of patients. Infection was the indication for removal in all patients, with pocket infection (80%). Mechanical rotational tools were used in 66% of cases, and a total of 29 leads were removed. Procedural success was accomplished in 93% of cases. There was 1 (7%) intraprocedural complication and no procedure-related mortality.
Conclusions:
The development of a lead management program is feasible, safe, and effective in underdeveloped countries.
