title: Exchange of pacing or defibrillator leads following laser sheath extraction of non-functional leads in patients with ipsilateral obstructed venous access.
abstract: Occlusion of the subclavian or brachiocephalic vein in pacemaker or defibrillator patients prohibits ipsilateral implantation of new leads with standard techniques in the event of lead malfunction. Three patients are presented in whom laser sheath extraction of a non-functional lead was performed in order to recanalise the occluded vein and to secure a route for implantation of new leads. This technique avoids abandoning a useful subpectoral site for pacing or defibrillator therapy. The laser sheath does not affect normally functioning leads at the same site.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, Netherlands. f.bracke@skynet.be
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Bracke
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: van Gelder
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sreeram
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meijer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000151:congenital* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012804:Sick Sinus Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D013350:Subclavian Vein; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000601:surgery*