Percutaneous removal of endocardial implantable cardioverter-defibrillator lead displaced to the right pulmonary artery

Abstract

We describe a case of percutaneous removal of endocardial implantable cardioverter-defibrillator lead displaced to the right pulmonary artery. The procedure was performed from two accesses; from the lower one (femoral) and then, due to technical problems, from the upper one (subclavian). In the last stage the flattened Dotter’s basket was introduced to the heart inside the Byrd dilator and then fastened to the described lead as the external ‘splint’. This solution is an alternative to the recommended use of the internal metal leader with anchoring function in case of significant malformation of the internal lumen of the lead. The procedure we describe is an example of the sort of individual, original solution indispensable for the efficient and safe removal of untypically displaced leads.
(Cardiol J 2010; 17, 3: 293-298)