ICD Leads Extraction and Clearing of Access Way in a Patient With Superior Vena Cava Syndrome: Building A Tunnel

Medicine (Baltimore). 2015 Sep;94(38):e1481. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000001481.

Abstract

Central vein disease is defined as at least 50% narrowing up to total occlusion of central veins of the thorax including superior vena cava, brachiocephalic, subclavian, and internal jugular vein. Thrombosis due to intravascular leads occurs in approximately 30% to 45% of patients early or late after implantation of a pacemaker by transvenous access.In this case, we report a male patient, 65-years old, hypertensive, type 2 diabetic, with atherosclerotic disease, coronary artery disease, underwent coronary artery bypass surgery in the past 10 years, having already experienced an acute myocardial infarction, bearer automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator for 8 years after an episode of aborted sudden death due to ischemic cardiomyopathy, presenting left superior vena cava syndrome. The use of clopidogrel and rivaroxaban for over a year had no benefit on symptoms improvement.After atrial and ventricular leads extraction, a new shock lead was positioned in the right ventricle using active fixation and a new atrial lead was positioned in the right atrium, passing inside of the stents. Two days after the procedure the patient was asymptomatic and was discharged.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Catheterization, Central Venous / methods*
  • Defibrillators, Implantable / adverse effects*
  • Device Removal / methods*
  • Electrodes, Implanted / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phlebography / methods
  • Superior Vena Cava Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Superior Vena Cava Syndrome* / etiology
  • Superior Vena Cava Syndrome* / physiopathology
  • Superior Vena Cava Syndrome* / surgery
  • Thrombosis / diagnosis
  • Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Thrombosis / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vena Cava, Superior / diagnostic imaging