vascular surgery

venous occlusion

transvenous lead extraction

Stented leads

Superior vena cava syndrome

Lead Extraction/complications

Cardiac sugrery for electrocardiology

Cardiac Pacing (PM/ICD/CRT)

Electrocardiology

Background: Nowadays we are implanting more CIED systems with intracardial leads. Unfortunately, sometimes when the lead is too long in the vessel it adheres to its wall causing venous occlusion and the removal is problematic. Venous occlusion is treated with venoplasty with stent remaining. The standards clearly recommend removing all leads before venoplasty and stenting. Stenting of leads into the vessel wall makes them practically indelible. In the literature, we found only one report of successful removal of veno-thoracic stented leads. Methods: We present two cases who did not have all leads removed before venoplasty with stent implantation. Results: All stented 4 leads in two patients were successfully extracted by using a percutaneous approach. The oldest pacing lead extracted was 17 years old, while the oldest stent 11. Conclusion: Removal of stented leads is a serious challenge, but may be safe and effective if the minimally invasive equipment is assured.