![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract In the present study 190 leads were extracted in 105 TLE procedures. More than half of the patients had infection indication for TLE. Total procedural success was 98% and rate major complications was 2.9% with no deaths. This indicates that TLE is safe and effective procedure.Simple manual traction was sufficient in 15.2% of procedures, manual traction with locking stylet in 12.4% and telescopic dilator sheath in 19%. On the other hand, 52.4% were advanced extractions since they required a powered mechanical sheath, a laser sheath, a combined use of them or a femoral approach.The total number of leads was the only variable significantly associated with the risk of total venous occlusion. However, presence of venous obstruction did not have significant association with neither the need for advanced extraction tools, nor the procedural time The presence of extensive venous-lead adhesions as assessed by pre-procedural venography was significantly associated with the age of the oldest lead. Moreover, the presence of extensive adhesions affected the ease of the extraction procedure in the form of need for powered extraction tools and more procedural times The age of oldest lead and the passive fixation mechanism were significantly associated with need of advanced tools. |