title: Development of a new technique for explantation of chronic transvenous pacemaker leads: five initial case studies.
abstract: Transvenous removal of chronic pacing leads was attempted using a special locking stylet and dilator sheaths. In five initial cases, three of seven leads were infected; six of seven leads were removed. The stylet was inserted into the conductor lumen and locked into the tip to reinforce and control the lead, permitting retraction without stretching the conductor. Sheaths were advanced over the lead to detach and dilate fibrous encapsulation. In one case, force applied exceeded the locking mechanism's strength; no patient complication resulted. It is concluded that transvenous lead removal is facilitated by a locking stylet and dilation of fibrous tissue with sheaths.
authors.affiliation: Cook Pacemaker Corporation, Leechburg, Pennsylvania 15656.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Goode
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Byrd
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Wilkoff
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fontaine
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Fearnot
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Shipko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012086:Reoperation