Ten-year study of late electrotherapy complications. Single-centre analysis of indications and safety of transvenous leads extraction.

BACKGROUND: An increase in the number of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantations is associated with a higher frequency of electrotherapy complications. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the risk factors for late electrotherapy complications and to evaluate the effectiveness of transvenous lead extraction (TLE) and survival after TLE. METHODS: We analysed the clinical data of 225 patients with electrotherapy complications referred for TLE in a single centre in the years 2006 to 2015. Indications for TLE, risk factors for infectious complications, effectiveness of TLE, and survival after the procedure were assessed. RESULTS: In the study group, non-infectious indications for TLE predominated (78.2%). Analysis of risk for infectious complications demonstrated the important role of chronic renal failure (hazard ratio [HR] 1.842, p = 0.034) and a greater number of CIED-related procedures (HR 4.768, p < 0.001). High effectiveness of TLE and significantly higher long-term mortality of patients with infectious complications compared with the remainder (50% vs. 20%, p < 0.05) were documented. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated a high rate of patients with non-infectious complications referred for TLE and very high effectiveness of the procedure. The worse long-term survival of patients with infectious complications, as well as increased risk for such complications due to the greater number of prior procedures, should prompt the consideration of early referral for TLE in the case of lead dysfunctions.

Complications of electrotherapy - the dark side of treatment with cardiac implantable electronic devices.

In the past years we have been observing the dynamic development of electrotherapy, as evidenced by the steadily rising number of implanted pacemakers (PM), as well as devices used in the treatment of dangerous arrhythmia and heart failure, such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) and cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT-P/D). This is a consequence of the ageing of the populations of the majority of developed countries and also the gradually widening indications for the use of such devices. Along with the observed rise in the number of new implantations, the number of complications of electrotherapy is rising as well. In view of the increase in the incidence of complications, it is necessary to systematize the knowledge on this subject, because there is still no official classification of this type of complication and guidelines for dealing with such cases do not appear to cover the scale of the problem. In addition, late complications of electrotherapy play the most important role, in which case the removal of the entire pacing system, transvenous lead extraction (TLE), is a challenge due to the older age of leads strongly attached to the venous walls and endocardium of the heart cavity. The present paper presents a modern classification of electrotherapy complications and discusses the types of complications according to the most recent literature reports. Moreover, the diagnosis and management of particular types of complications with the assessment of indications for TLE are discussed.

[Analysis of the incidence and causes of repeated surgical interventions in patients with early complications electrotherapy - 1 center experience from the period 2012-2015].

Baclground: Due to increasing number of patients treated by cardiac implantable electronic devices we observe increasing number of complications after these procedures Material and methods: We analysed causes of early surgical revision of implantable devices connected with 1673 procedures of implantation (871 procedures) or exchange (802 procedures) of pacing systems (PM), cardioverter-difibrillators (ICD) and resynchronisation systems (CRT) in one local centre of electrotherapy in years 2012 to 2015. We characterised risk factors and its influence on encountered complications. Results: In analysed period 72 reinterventions after implantations or exchanges of PM/ICD/CRT were performed. Main causes of early complications were: lead malfunction (2.5%), including the dislodgement of the leads in 1.9%, pocket hematoma (1.4%) and other abnormalities of the pocket (0.4 %), including pocket infections in 0.2%. The most important risk factors of early complications were often implantations of the leads with passive fixation and anticoagulation therapy in perioperative period. Conclusions: The knowledge of the early complications after implantations and exchanges of PM/ICD/CRT should improve the safety of procedures through more often used of the leads with active fixation and properly preparation of the patients requering the antithrombic therapy.

[Electrotherapy complications in women]. / Powiklania elektroterapii--skala problemu u kobiet.

In recent years we can observe an increase of frequency of electrotherapy complications. Analysis of this complications with gender differences consideration is rarely found in the literature. Probably, there is some kind of discrepancy in qualification for implantation of pacemakers and more complex systems in women and men. According to the most reports--ICD and CRT systems are seldom implanted in female, but this phenomena is connected rather with less indications to this types in women. Next problem is a lack of uniform classification of electrotherapy complications- it also makes the assessment of gender differences difficult. The most applied is the division of the early and late and also infectious and noninfectious abnormalities. Comparative analysis revealed more frequent prevalence of infectious complications in male, nevertheless, clinical course is probably more severe in female. Among noninfectious complications late perforations are significantly more often found in women, whereas lead dislodgment, lead dependent tricuspid dysfunction, intracardiac abrasion and venous occlusion probably occur with similar frequency in male and female, but it requires further investigations. TLE safety and efficacy gender differences are also rarely described in the literature. Some publications reveal more frequent complication rates in women, but others do not seem to prove this phenomena. Undoubtedly electrotherapy complications in women and methods of their treatment should be further investigated basing on bigger, more representative study groups.

Complications of permanent cardiac pacing in patients with persistent left superior vena cava.

BACKGROUND: Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is present in about 0.3-0.5% of the general population and in about 12% of patients with other abnormalities. This congenital anomaly is usually asymptomatic and does not cause any physiological problems. However, it may become a significant problem in multiple clinical situations. Various complications related to PLVSC are encountered in anesthesiological, nephrological, oncological and cardiological procedures. The presence of PLSVC is usually incidentally detected during placement of pacemaker (PM), implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) leads. Technical difficulties during lead positioning (especially ventricular leads) are commonly known and often described in the literature. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the specific methods used for implantation of increasingly complicated pacing systems, finding an optimal strategy in patients with PLSVC, especially with electrotherapy complications. METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective analysis of 11 patients (7 women and 4 men, mean age 60.4 ± 13 years) with PLSVC hospitalized in single Cardiology Department between 2000 and 2012. The clinical characteristic, indications for PM/ICD/CRT implantation, technique of implantation and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: In PLSVC patients, different indications for pacing or resynchronization therapy were represented: sick sinus syndrome (SSS) in 4 patients, 3rd degree atrio-ventricular (AV) block in 4 patients, dilated cardiomyopathy with left bundle branch block in 2 patients, dilated cardiomyopathy and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia episodes in 1 patient. In patients no. 1, 3, 4 and 10 the complications necessitated the change of leads or type of pacing. Transvenous lead extraction was successfully performed in patient no. 1 and 10 with re-implantation of new leads via PLSVC in patient no. 1 and via right superior vena cava in patient no. 10. Patient no. 3 received an additional ventricular lead via PLSVC because of 2nd degree AV block (formerly atrial lead implanted due to SSS). In patient no. 4 with left atrial pacing (lead in coronary sinus), prosthetic mitral valve replacement was combined with epicardial ventricular lead placement. Patients no. 2 and 7 received a CRT device, without technical problems in patient no. 7, whereas in patient no. 2 due to difficulties with left ventricular lead positioning a hybrid approach to epicardial lead pacing was used. In patient no. 8 an ICD was implanted with difficulty in placing defibrillator lead. Patient no. 5 received 2 atrial leads via PLSVC with successful biatrial pacing; patient no. 6 with the necessity of DDD pacing had a (ventricular) lead for left atrial pacing and a typical right ventricular lead. In patients no. 9 and 11 typical DDD pacing was used with contralateral placement of the leads due to anatomical and technical differences. After 12 years of follow-up the survival is 90.9%. Late electrotherapy complications have developed only in patient no. 8 (problems with the defibrillator lead). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PLSVC are a very heterogeneous group with different indications for pacing, therefore individualization of therapy is required. Technical complications connected with pacing of the right heart chambers are commonly known, hence transvenous left atrial or left ventricular lead implantation should be attempted. In case of difficulties in transvenous positioning of the lead, a hybrid or isolated cardiac surgery technique should be considered. Because of the increasing number of electrotherapy complications, these problems are also present in PLSVC patients. Transvenous lead extraction with re-implantation of a pacing system has not been reported yet. For this reason a thorough evaluation of the venous system is required in PLSVC patients before intervention.

[Twiddler's syndrome: a new face of the old problem]. / Zespól Twiddlera: nowe oblicze starego powiklania.

Twiddler's syndrome (TS) is the well known late electrotherapy complication. The typical TS develops as a result of the pulse generator rotation with retraction of the leads and consequent interruption of pacing. We reported 2 cases illustrating late TS without spontaneous old, ingrown lead extraction and very different leads damage.

Late complications of electrotherapy - a clinical analysis of indications for transvenous removal of endocardial leads: a single centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in electrotherapy, late complications constitute an increasing clinical and therapeutic problem. Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) is becoming a safe and effective approach to the treatment of such complications. AIM: To assess indications for TLE and to evaluate safety and efficacy of TLE procedures. METHODS: A retrospective clinical analysis of 100 patients with complications of electrotherapy admitted to a tertiary care centre in 2008-2011. RESULTS: In 2008-2011, the number of electrotherapy complications increased markedly. The most frequent reason for TLE was lead dysfunction (62% of patients, including 31% with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator [ICD] and 31% with a pacemaker [PM]). The most common type of lead dysfunction was conductor damage (38% of patients, including 23% with ICD, 15% with PM), followed by late myocardial perforation (14% of patients, including 7% with ICD, 7% with PM), abnormal course of the lead (7% of patients, including 1% with ICD, 6% with PM), and lead insulation failure (3% of patients). Other reasons for TLE were infectious complications (24% of patients, including 15% with PM pocket infection), venous insufficiency (17% of patients, including 10% in whom an indwelling lead was a direct obstacle to switching the pacing mode), and the need to switch the pacing mode (4% of patients). Procedural efficacy was 96% (lead fragments were left in place in 4% of patients). No significant clinical complications were observed in any of the patients in the periprocedural period. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical manifestations of electrotherapy complications in the study group varied and included a relatively small number of infectious complications (24%) and a relatively large number of late myocardial perforations (14%). Efficacy and safety of the procedures were very high.