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.