Safety and efficacy of percutaneous lead extraction of infected cardiac electronic devices: a single-center study

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Background Infections of implanted cardiac electronic devices (CIEDs) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Current guidelines recommend either percutaneous or surgical lead removal. Purpose To assess and document the safety and efficacy of percutaneous lead extraction within our Electrophysiology (EP) Lab over the past 2 years. Methods We enrolled consecutive patients with CIED-related infections who underwent percutaneous lead extractions at our EP lab. Results A total of 26 consecutive patients were included in the study, of whom 21 (81%) were males, with a median age of 67 years. Among these patients, 9 (35%) had permanent pacemakers, 11 (42%) had implantable defibrillator systems, and 6 (23%) had biventricular defibrillator systems. Device extrusion was observed in 17 patients (65%), while the remaining 9 (35%) had lead vegetations. Among the 17 patients with device extrusion, 3 (18%) also had lead vegetations, but only 2 (12%) had positive blood cultures. Among the 9 patients without device extrusion, 5 (56%) had vegetations in the leads and tricuspid valve, while 4 (44%) had positive blood cultures. The mean duration from CIED implantation to infection was 81.5 months. Percutaneous lead extraction of CIEDs was successful in 25 patients (96%) using transvenous rotational dilators and endovascular lead extraction tools. In one patient, femoral access with a snare was required for lead retrieval. In another case, where complete lead removal was necessary, the patient developed a massive pulmonary embolism, leading to surgical removal. Additionally, in one patient with a 20-year-old permanent pacemaker, lead extraction was not successful; however, surgical removal was avoided due to the high risk involved. Conclusions The use of transvenous rotational dilators and endovascular lead extraction tools for transvenous removal of CIEDs due to extrusion and/or endocarditis is safe and highly effective, avoiding high-risk cardiac surgical interventions.