Efficacy and safety of transvenous lead extraction using a liberal combined superior and femoral approach.

PURPOSE: During transvenous lead extraction (TLE), the femoral snare has mainly been used as a bail-out procedure. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a TLE approach with a low threshold to use a combined superior and femoral approach. METHODS: This is a single-center observational study including all TLE procedures between 2012 till 2019. RESULTS: A total of 264 procedures (median age 63 (51-71) years, 67.0% male) were performed in the study period. The main indications for TLE were lead malfunction (67.0%), isolated pocket infection (17.0%) and systemic infection (11.7%). The median dwelling time of the oldest targeted lead was 6.8 (4.0-9.7) years. The techniques used to perform the procedure were the use of a femoral snare only (30%), combined rotational powered sheath and femoral snare (25%), manual traction only (20%), rotational powered sheath only (17%) and locking stylet only (8%). The complete and clinical procedural success rate was 90.2% and 97.7%, respectively, and complete lead removal rate was 94.1% of all targeted leads. The major and minor procedure-related complication rates were 1.1% and 10.2%, respectively. There was one case (0.4%) of emergent sternotomy for management of cardiac avulsion. Furthermore, there were 5 in-hospital non-procedure-related deaths (1.9%), of whom 4 were related to septic shock due to a Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis after an uncomplicated TLE with complete removal of all leads. CONCLUSION: An effective and safe TLE procedure can be achieved by using the synergy between a superior and femoral approach.

Radiologic Anatomy of the Lumbar Interlaminar Window and Surgical Considerations for Lumbar Interlaminar Endoscopic and Microsurgical Disc Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The interlaminar window is the most important corridor during both interlaminar approaches to intervertebral discs. The aim of this study was to measure radiologic parameters related to endoscopic and microsurgical interlaminar discectomy. METHODS: Measured parameters included lateral recess line (LRL) width, distance between LRL and endplates of upper intervertebral disc, superior and lateral angles of interlaminar window, interlaminar height, and interpedicular distance via optimized coronal oblique projection computed tomography images. Measurements were performed at L2, L3, L4, and L5 levels. RESULTS: LRL was found to be 16.3 ± 3.4 mm, 17.3 ± 3.3 mm, 21.7 ± 3.4 mm, and 27.7 ± 4.0 mm at L2, L3, L4, and L5. The distances between LRL and both upper endplates decreased from L2 to L5. Distance between LRL and upper endplate of same vertebra and between LRL and lower endplate of upper vertebra was measured. Interlaminar window height decreased from L2 to L5 levels (from 14.0 ± 4.1 mm to 11.1 ± 2.4 mm). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that width of LRL increases in lower lumbar segments, and height of interlaminar window increases in upper lumbar segments. This study also revealed that intervertebral disc is located cranial to LRL at L2-3, L3-4, and L4-5 levels and is located caudal to LRL at L5-S1 level. The results of this study may help surgical planning in both endoscopic and microscopic interlaminar surgery.

Increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with chronic total coronary occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Chronic total occlusion (CTO) is common in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors with coronary artery disease. It is unclear whether CTO contributes to ventricular arrhythmias in this population. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate the impact of unrevascularized CTOs on the occurrence of appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy and all-cause mortality in OHCA survivors with coronary artery disease. METHODS: This was a retrospective study that included all consecutive OHCA survivors with coronary artery disease who received an ICD from December 1999 until June 2015. Study end points were appropriate ICD therapy and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: We identified 217 OHCA survivors (mean age 63 ± 10 years; 187 men (86%)) with coronary artery disease. Unrevascularized CTO was present in 71 of 217 patients (33%) at the time of ICD implantation. During a median follow-up of 61 months (interquartile range, 28-97 months), 57 of 217 patients (26%) experienced an appropriate ICD therapy. Patients with CTO had a higher incidence of appropriate ICD therapy in comparison to patients without CTO (log-rank, P = .002). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified CTO (hazard ratio 2.07; 95% confidence interval 1.23-3.50; P = .007) as an independent predictor of appropriate ICD therapy. The presence of CTO was not associated with a higher mortality rate (log-rank, P = .18). CONCLUSIONS: In OHCA survivors with coronary artery disease receiving an ICD for secondary prevention, CTO was an independent predictor for the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias but not for mortality.

Effect of Age and Renal Function on Survival After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are increasingly used, especially as destination therapy in in older patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of age on renal function and mortality in the first year after implantation. A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted, evaluating all LVAD patients implanted in the 2 participating centers (age ≥18 years). Patients were stratified according to the age groups <45, 45-54, 55-64, and ≥65 years old. Overall, 241 patients were included (mean age 52.4 ± 12.9 years, 76% males, 33% destination therapy). The mean estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) at 1 year was 85, 72, 69, and 49 mL/min per 1.73 m2 in the age groups <45(n = 65, 27%), 45-54(n = 52, 22%), 55-64(n = 87, 36%), and ≥65 years (n = 37, 15%) p <0.001)), respectively. Older age and lower eGFR at baseline (p <0.01) were independent predictors of worse renal function at 1 year. The 1-year survival post-implantation was 79%,84%, 68%, and 54% for those in the age group <45, 45-54, 55-64 and ≥65 years (Log-rank p = 0.003). Older age, lower eGFR and, INTERMACS class I were independent predictors of 1-year mortality. Furthermore, older patients (age > 60 years) with an impaired renal function (eGFR <55 mL/min per 1.73 m2) had a 5-fold increased hazard ratio for mortality during the first year after implantation (p <0.001). In conclusion, age >60 years is an independent predictor for an impaired renal function and mortality. Older age combined with reduced renal function pre-implantation had a cumulative adverse effect on survival in patients receiving a LVAD.