Endocardial lead extraction

Abstract

There is an ever-increasing need to manage complications in this era of implantable antiarrhythmic devices. Infections, sepsis, and the threat of mechanical trauma can necessitate partial or complete removal of an antiarrhythmic system, including device and leads. Such removal comes with the potential risk of significant morbidity and even mortality. The management of device complications has become a subspecialty of cardiology and cardiovascular surgery (1-5). It requires special training to acquire the skills for successful results. © 2008 Springer-Verlag US.