Effects of Reimplantation of Biventricular Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices After Removal of Coronary Sinus Left Ventricular Leads due to Infections
Effects of Reimplantation of Biventricular Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices After Removal of Coronary Sinus Left Ventricular Leads due to Infections
Objectives:To evaluate the strategy and clinical outcomes of reimplanting biventricular cardiac resynchronization therapy (Biv-CRT) devices after transvenous removal of coronary sinus left ventricular leads due to device-related infections.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and surgical outcomes of all patients who underwent transvenous removal of infectious coronary sinus left ventricular leads and subsequent reimplantation of Biv-CRT devices at Peking University People's Hospital from January 2013 to December 2022.Follow-up was performed to assess the incidence of complications and all-cause mortality.Results:A total of 167 patients underwent coronary sinus left ventricular lead removal due to infection,removal was successful in 161 cases (96.4%) and failed in 6 cases (3.6%).Among the patients with successful removal,109 cases (67.7%) were scheduled for Biv-CRT device reimplantation.After a median time of 7 (5,7) days,6 cases (5.5%) of reimplantation failed,while 103 reimplantations (94.5%) were successful.Among these successful reimplantation cases,102 patients (99.0%) were through the right-side approach,and 1 case (1.0%) through the left-side approach due to bilateral pocket infections.Of the 161 patients with successful removal,58 cases (36.0%) did not undergo left ventricular lead reimplantation,including 39 cases (24.2%) where the initial indications for Biv-CRT were questionable or had resolved.During the one-year postoperative follow-up,among the 103 patients who had undergone Biv-CRT device reimplantation,7 patients (6.8%) died,1 patient (1.0%) experienced pocket infection,and 1 patient (1.0%) had right atrial lead dislodgment.Conclusions:Reimplantation of Biv-CRT devices after removal of coronary sinus left ventricular leads due to infections is feasible,with a high success rate,low complication rate,and low mortality rate for right-side approach implantation.Therefore,for patients re-evaluated to have indications for repeated Biv-CRT after lead removal,right-side reimplantation of the coronary sinus left ventricular lead should be recommended.