Traditional and Non-traditional Lead Extraction Techniques

With increasing volume of cardiac implantable electronic devices in the last decade, the indications for device extraction have increased. Multidisciplinary collaboration between cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, and cardiac electrophysiologists has been recognized as an essential pre-requisite in pre-procedural planning to limit complications from this inherently risky procedure. Fortunately, the tools and techniques have continued to evolve to make extraction safer and more effective. This article discusses traditional and non-traditional techniques for transvenous lead extraction in addition to retrieval of leadless pacemakers.