title: [Initial experience with excimer laser-assisted pacemaker and defibrillator lead extraction].
abstract: Explantation of chronically implanted pacemaker or defibrillator leads can be technically demanding. We present the results of the first 44 leads extracted with excimer laser sheaths in 25 patients with a median lead implantation time of 7 years (range: 2 to 20 years). Indications for extraction were lead fracture in 17 patients, pocket infection in 4, septicemia in 2, and lead endocarditis in 2 cases. Complete extraction was achieved in 43 leads (97.7%), while the lead tip (< 4 cm) was abandoned in 1 case. There was no in-hospital mortality. The excimer laser-assisted system is a safe and efficient alternative for pacemaker and defibrillator lead extraction. This technology has resulted in excellent outcomes in our series, allowing us to treat remarkably difficult cases.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Cardiaca, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña, A Coruña, España. victor.x.mosquera.rodriguez@sergas.es
authors.forename: Víctor X
authors.initials: VX
authors.lastname: Mosquera
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pérez-Álvarez
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ricoy-Martínez
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mosquera-Pérez
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castro-Beiras
authors.forename: José J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cuenca-Castillo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000628:therapy; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D020878:Device Removal; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012189:Retrospective Studies