Efficacy and Safety of Transvenous Lead Extraction in the Device Laboratory and Operating Room Guided by a Novel Risk Stratification Scheme

Objectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate a novel risk stratification scheme to categorize patients on the basis of risk to either an operating room or device laboratory with rescue strategy.

Background: Lead extraction can be complicated by lethal issues such as vascular and cardiac rupture. Currently, the optimal site for lead extraction has not been well established.

Methods: A risk stratification scheme was developed from previously available risk factors for major complications. Patients were prospectively risk stratified between October 2013 and January 2016. High-risk procedures were performed in the operating room with ready surgical services; intermediate-risk procedures were performed in the device laboratory.

Results: In total, 349 leads were removed from 187 patients (age 61.0 ± 17.2 years; 66.3% men) over 27 months. Seventy-two patients (38.5%) were categorized as high risk. Median implant duration of the oldest lead per patient was 11.2 years (interquartile range: 7.9 to 14.9 years) in the operating room group versus 2.6 years (interquartile range: 1.6 to 4.9 years) in the device laboratory group (p < 0.001). Clinical success in the operating room (95.8%) and device laboratory (99.1%) groups was similar (p = 0.16). A higher incidence of major complications occurred in the high-risk group (operating room group: 6.9%; device laboratory: 0.0%; p = 0.007). In-hospital mortality (operating room group: 8.3%; device laboratory: 2.6%; p = 0.09) and long-term (2-year) survival (operating room: 70.8%; device laboratory: 84.4%; p = 0.07) rates were similar.

Conclusions: Use of a novel risk stratification scheme in guiding the selection of operating room versus device laboratory for lead extraction is feasible, safe, and efficacious. Intermediate-risk procedures can be performed safely in the device laboratory with rescue strategy, without excess surgical resource utilization.