title: Opening an occluded subclavian vein with a screw-like flexible hollow guide-wire and venoplasty.
abstract: Patients with existing internal cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) often require upgrading to a biventricular ICD for treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF). Placement of a left ventricular (LV) lead can be technically challenging in the best of circumstances. A subclavian vein stenosis or occlusion related to previously placed leads adds a major obstacle to a successful implant. We report a technique of implanting an LV lead from the same side as the existing ICD system despite complete occlusion of the subclavian vein.
authors: Lancaster Heart and Stroke Foundation, Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. seth@mcworley.com
authors: Seth Joseph
authors: SJ
authors: Worley
authors: Douglas Charles
authors: DC
authors: Gohn
authors: Robert Ward
authors: RW
authors: Pulliam
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013350:Subclavian Vein / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*