Initial Experience With Excimer Laser-Assisted Pacemaker and Defibrillator Lead Extraction

Explantation of chronically implanted pacemaker or defibrillator leads can be technically demanding. We present the results of the first 44 leads extracted with excimer laser sheaths in 25 patients with a median lead implantation time of 7 years (range: 2 to 20 years). Indications for extraction were lead fracture in 17 patients, pocket infection in 4, septicemia in 2, and lead endocarditis in 2 cases. Complete extraction was achieved in 43 leads (97.7%), while the lead tip (<4 cm) was abandoned in 1 case. There was no in-hospital mortality. The excimer laser-assisted system is a safe and efficient alternative for pacemaker and defibrillator lead extraction. This technology has resulted in excellent outcomes in our series, allowing us to treat remarkably difficult cases.