Predictors of the need for supportive femoral approach during transvenous extraction of pacemaker and defibrillator leads in Japanese patients

Abstract

Background: Studies on femoral approach during transvenous lead extraction (TLE) are limited. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 75 patients undergoing TLE from September 2014 through November 2019 via supportive femoral approach (Femoral/Superior group; n = 22) and superior approach alone (Superior group; n = 53). Results: No significant between-group differences were observed regarding patients’ baseline characteristics except for a higher incidence of access vein occlusion in the Femoral/Superior group (59.1% vs. 31.4%; P =.037). The Femoral/Superior group exhibited significantly longer dwell times of the oldest extracted lead (median: 13.4 years; interquartile range [IQR]: 8.8-21.2 years vs. median, 7.2 years; IQR: 3.7-10.8 years; P 11.8 years and whose access veins are occluded.