title: Application of intravascular dissection devices for closed chest coronary sinus lead extraction: an interdisciplinary approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increasing application of cardiac resynchronization therapy is accompanied by an increase in patients requiring removal of coronary sinus (CS) leads. The aim of this study was to determine outcomes of closed chest CS lead extraction using intravascular dissection devices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2000 and 2011, 41 patients (80.5% men; aged 64.2±13.8 years) underwent transvenous CS lead extraction procedures. Reasons for lead extraction were infection in 9, CS lead dislodgement in 15, lead malfunction, including manufacturer-initiated product recall in 6, phrenic nerve stimulation in 5, combinations of causes in 5, and elective extraction concomitant with generator replacement for battery depletion in 1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In addition to 24 isolated CS lead extractions, we performed 17 multiple lead extractions (2 to 4 leads) after a mean of 30.6±32.5 months. The time elapsed from implantation was 4.6±9.1 months for isolated CS and 42.6±32.4 months for multiple lead extractions. Extraction by direct manual traction was feasible in 13 patients by locking stylets in 6. Escalation to mechanical sheaths was required in 17 patients and to electrosurgical sheaths in 5. More aggressive methods were associated with longer implantation times and positive infection status. No deaths or major periprocedural complications occurred. Six minor postprocedural complications, of which three were surgically related, occurred in 5 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Closed chest CS lead extraction can be safely performed with excellent results. We recommend an escalating approach from isolated manual traction over locking stylets to mechanical sheaths and, eventually, electrosurgical dissection devices. The application in mainly high-risk patients demands an interdisciplinary approach to enhance safety and limit morbidity and death.
authors: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany. lisy90@googlemail.com
authors: Milan
authors: M
authors: Lisy
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Kornberger
authors: Eckhard
authors: E
authors: Schmid
authors: Guenay
authors: G
authors: Kalender
authors: Ulrich A
authors: UA
authors: Stock
authors: Volker
authors: V
authors: Doernberger
authors: Volker
authors: V
authors: Steger
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000628:therapy*; D054326:Coronary Sinus / Q000601:surgery*; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012189:Retrospective Studies