Transvenous Lead Extraction (TLE) Procedure: Experience from a Tertiary Care Center in Thailand

BACKGROUND: Transvenous Lead Extraction (TLE) is a standard treatment for some late Cardiac Implantable Electronics Device (CIED) complications. The outcome of transvenous lead extraction procedure in Thailand is not robust. METHODS: A Single-center retrospective cohort of TLE procedures performed at Ramathibodi hospital between January 2008 and December 2020 was studied. RESULTS: There were 157 leads from 105 patients who underwent lead removal procedure during the specified period. Data analysis was performed from 79 TLE patients due to incomplete data and lead explant procedure of the excluded subjects. Mean patients’ age was 57.7 ± 18.7 years, with 70.9% male. There were 82 pacemaker leads, 35 ICD leads, and 5 CS leads (mean number of leads were 1.54 ± 0.66 per patient), with mean implanted duration of 87.8 ± 68.2 months. Main indication for TLE was infection-related, which accounted for 67.1% of the cases. Overall clinical success rate was 97.5%. Mean operative time was 163.8 ± 69.5 min. Major complications occurred in 4 patients (5.1%) with one in-hospital mortality from severe sepsis. CONCLUSION: TLE using laser sheath and rotating mechanical sheath for transvenous lead extraction is effective and safe, even outside high-volume center.