The GermAn Laser Lead Extraction RegistrY: GALLERY.

AIMS: The GermAn Laser Lead Extraction RegistrY: GALLERY is a retrospective, national multicentre registry, investigating the safety and efficacy of laser lead extraction procedures in Germany. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-four German centres that are performing laser lead extraction have participated in the registry. All patients, treated with a laser lead extraction procedure between January 2013 and March 2017, were consecutively enrolled. Safety and efficacy of laser lead extraction were investigated. A total number of 2524 consecutive patients with 6117 leads were included into the registry. 5499 leads with a median lead dwell time of 96 (62-141) months were treated. The mean number of treated leads per patient was 2.18 ± 1.02. The clinical procedural success rate was 97.86% and the complete lead removal was observed in 94.85%. Additional extraction tools were used in 6.65% of cases. The rate of procedural failure was 2.14% with lead age ≥10 years being its only predictor. The overall complication rate was 4.32%, including 2.06% major and 2.26% minor complications. Procedure-related mortality was 0.55%. Female sex and the presence of abandoned leads were predictors for procedure-related complications. The all-cause in-hospital mortality was 3.56% with systemic infection being the strongest predictor, followed by age ≥75 years and chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSION: In the GALLERY, a high success- and low procedure-related complication rates have been demonstrated. In multivariate analysis, female sex and the presence of abandoned leads were predictors for procedure-related complications, while the presence of systemic infection, age ≥75 years, and chronic kidney disease were independent predictors for all-cause mortality.

Incidence and risk factors for acute kidney injury in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices undergoing transvenous lead removal.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the incidence and potentially modifiable risk factors of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) admitted for removal of infected and non-infected transvenous leads. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this observational cohort study, data from 147 consecutive patients with CIED undergoing transvenous lead removal were analyzed. Study endpoint was AKI according to the KDIGO criteria. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for AKI. RESULTS: Lead removal was performed due to systemic infection (50.3%), isolated pocket infection (34.0%), pocket or lead perforation without infection (13.6%), and endocarditis (2.0%). Out of 147 patients, 34 (23.1%) developed AKI (82.4% stage 1, 8.8% stage 2, and 8.8% stage 3). There was no difference regarding incidence of AKI when separated by infectious vs. non-infectious lead status (25.5 vs. 25.0%) p = 0.605. Defibrillator lead type (HR 24.55, CI 2.41 - 249.97, p = 0.007), necessity to perform laser-assisted lead removal (HR 5.41, CI 1.12 - 26.13, p = 0.035), and time from initial implantation to lead removal (HR 1.01, CI 1.00 - 1.02, p = 0.013) were independent risk factors for AKI. Also, AKI was associated with in-hospital mortality (HR 8.44, CI 2.08 - 34.33, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Almost a quarter of patients undergoing transvenous lead removal developed AKI. Independent modifiable risk factors for AKI were identified. The role of procedure-related risk factors for AKI, such as lead type and use of laser, needs further evaluation in these patients.

[A glimpse at the (unremarkable) pacemaker pocket is not enough!] / Ein Blick auf die (unauffällige) Schrittmachertasche genügt nicht!

Chills and signs of systemic infection caused a patient's hospitalization. Reason for his productive cough and hemoptysis was apparently lobar pneumonia-until an unexpected result of blood cultures rendered further diagnostics necessary in this pacemaker patient.

105 Inappropriate ICD Shocks in a Patient with Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Broca's Aphasia.

With a growing number of ICD recipients, device complications are seen more frequently in the clinical setting and outpatient departments. Among the most severe are ICD infections and inappropriate therapies caused by oversensing of atrial tachycardias or lead fracture. We report on a 76-year-old female patient with dilative cardiomyopathy and Broca's aphasia after stroke, who experienced 105 consecutive inappropriate ICD shocks due to cluster missensing of her fractured ICD lead. The diagnosis was complicated and delayed by patient's aphasia emphasizing the need for intensified remote monitoring along with regular in-person visits, especially in people with intellectual or communication disabilities.

[Pacemaker dependant and/or repetitive ICD therapies. How to solve the dilemma of lead extraction?]. / Schrittmacherabhängigkeit und/oder rezidivierende ICD-Therapien. Wie löst man dieses Problem nach Systemexplantation?

Bridging pacemaker-dependent patients or patients with repetitive ICD therapies after device and lead extraction is often challenging. Temporary pacing by means of an active fixation lead connected to an external reusable permanent pacemaker, or of a subxiphoidally implanted pacemaker with an epicardial lead is a safe option for bridging pacemaker-dependent patients after device and lead explantation. The wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD; LifeVest(®)) is a safe and effective tool for patients who need a continuous monitoring and ICD backup after device explantation.