METHODS

Patients

Any patients requiring lead extraction and immediate replacement of an ipsilateral pacing/ICD system were considered suitable for lead replacement using a “drag through” technique. Patients considered unsuitable were those in whom there was evidence of lead infection, or crushing of the lead between the clavicle and the first rib, reflecting a suboptimal implantation route.

Lead extraction procedure

The procedure was performed under local anaesthetic (with two exceptions, see table 1) with additional analgesia at the patient's request. Venography was performed on the ipsilateral side and a temporary pacing wire was inserted via the left femoral vein. The generator was removed, the lead(s) requiring extraction cut, freed to the retaining sleeves/sutures, and the sutures removed. A 16 French sheath was inserted in the right femoral vein and either a basket and deflecting wire (Byrd femoral workstation) or a needle-eye-snare were introduced (Cook UK, Ltd). A normal stylet was advanced into the pacing/ICD lead before being snared in order to preserve the lumen. As soon as the lead was grasped this stylet was removed.

The drag through technique was then performed by cutting the pacing/ICD lead leaving 1 inch (2.5 cm) exposed. The outermost electrode coil of the lead was then grasped with an artery clip and pulled out from the lead insulation. The coil was then cut at the external insulation, so the coil inside the insulation was partially unwrapped, leaving a space between the external insulation and the outer coil. A 140 cm 0.35 inch J tipped guide wire was then introduced into the gap left between the coil and the insulation and pushed in until it was firmly attached (fig 1 inset). The proximal end of the lead was then pulled down into the right atrium from below while the guide wire was fed in behind. When the proximal lead/guide wire join reached the level of the right atrium the guide wire was fixed and the lead pulled so that the two separated (fig 1).

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Figure 1

The generator has been removed and the lead to be extracted cut short. Retaining sutures and sleeves have been taken off the lead to be extracted. The coil has been grasped with artery clips and pulled out from the insulation. The coil is then cut at the point where it extends from the insulation, which leaves a gap between coil and insulation. A guide wire is pushed into the gap between the coil and the insulation so that it becomes firmly attached to the lead (inset). The guide wire has been pulled in behind the lead and is detached at the level of the right atrium.

The lead was then extracted using previously described conventional counter-traction techniques.¹ The guide wire was then used to introduce a 23 cm “peel-away” sheath (Daig Inc, Minnesota. USA) through which a replacement lead was then passed.

Definitions

Outcomes of the lead extraction were based on previously published recommendations.³ Complete success was defined as removal of all material from the vascular space. Partial success was defined as removal of all but a small portion of the lead. Clinical success was defined as achievement of all clinical goals associated with the indication for lead removal.

RESULTS

Patients

A total of 36 consecutive patients (22 male, mean (SD) age 63 (14) years) underwent extraction of 63 leads which had been in situ for 7.8 (4.6) years (7.3 (3.3) years for drag through patients). Nineteen patients had infected systems, one patient required radiotherapy for breast carcinoma on the ipsilateral side, one patient had a long section an active fixation lead floating free in the right atrium following a failed attempt to extract it from the superior approach at another centre, and one patient had a crush fracture between the clavicle and first rib. Therefore, 14 patients were suitable for lead extraction and immediate replacement of their system, four of whom required extraction of an old pacing/ICD system in order to implant an ICD. The indications for lead extraction in the remaining patients were lead failure in young patients (≤ 60 years) (n = 4), Telectronics Accufix lead removal requested by patient (n = 2), and venous occlusion (n = 4).

Procedure

Leads were extracted using a Byrd femoral workstation in six patients and a needle eye snare in eight patients (table 1). Clinical success was achieved in 100% of leads with 86% patients (91% leads) having complete success. Partial success resulted from retention of the distal 2 cm of the lead (n = 2 leads). Achieving venous access via the drag through technique was successful in all patients and was used to extract and replace 20 pacemaker/ICD leads. The drag through technique was successfully used in the eight patients with multiple leads. Two patients had three leads removed, including two previously abandoned ventricular leads, and six patients had one lead extracted only (five ventricular, one atrial) with functioning pre-existing leads left undisturbed. A single guide wire was dragged through and used to introduce two sheaths, allowing upgrade from a single chamber to a dual chamber pacemaker in one patient, otherwise individual guide wires were introduced for each lead being replaced. Two lead extraction procedures were performed under general anaesthetic (14.3%) because of concurrent ICD implantation. The pacemaker lead drag through including reimplantation procedure times were 155 (71) minutes and 41 (28) minutes. Mean stay in hospital was 1.5 (1.1) days.

DISCUSSION

Permanent pacemaker lead extraction has major complication rates of 1.4%¹ and the results are similar using laser assisted lead extraction with major complication and mortality rates of 3.2% and 0.6%.² Although there is some theoretical advantage to femoral lead extraction, one limitation is that there is no vascular access for implantation of a new system. This is of particular relevance in those patients with subclavian or brachiocephalic vein occlusions, which occurs in up to 12% of patients with permanent pacemakers.⁴ Lead extraction and replacement of the lead on the same side as a vein occlusion avoids the possibility of bilateral subclavian occlusions, failure to cross a superior vena cava, or the need to implant a femoral system. Recent reports have demonstrated that replacing pacemaker leads through occluded veins is possible, particularly when using a laser assisted approach.⁵ This study has demonstrated that replacement of both permanent pacing and ICD leads is possible using the cheaper femoral approach, even when the veins are occluded. This was achieved without complication and was performed under local anaesthetic in most cases.

Conclusion

Cannulation of the veins used by non-functioning pacemaker/ICD leads can be achieved using the drag through technique after lead extraction by the femoral approach. This allows introduction of new leads even through occluded veins.