Breakage of extracted leads: another management option

Abstract

Extracted lead breakage is a well-known technical complication of lead extraction. If the remaining fragment is longer than a few cm, it should be removed. The femoral or jugular approach, with different tools, is used. We describe the utility of the extracted lead venous entry approach as the optional solution in six patients. The role of the shape of the utilised sheath and the presence of venous entry valve and favourable specific properties of basket catheters are discussed, and also the utility of a repeated Byrd dilator.