title: Successful percutaneous extraction of pacemaker leads with a novel (VascoExtor) pacing lead removal system.
abstract: A new pacing lead extraction system (VascoExtor, VascoMed, Germany) with a universally applicable locking stylet was used over a period of 12 months to extract 25 permanent pacemaker leads (mean implantation time 3.9 +/- 3.8 years) in 16 patients who had pacemaker infection (n = 13), lead dysfunction (n = 2), or before an automatic defibrillator implant (n = 1). With use of this system, we were able to successfully and safely remove 24 of 25 chronic pacing leads (96%) in 15 of 16 patients (93%) with sole use of the locking stylet in 81%, and with use of an array of ancillary tools in the remaining 19% of patients.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, Patras University, Greece.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Manolis
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Maounis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chiladakis
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vassilikos
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Melita-Manolis
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Cokkinos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D013525:Surgical Instruments