Upper extremity deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after transvenous lead replacement or upgrade procedures

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2020 May;43(5):495-502. doi: 10.1111/pace.13915. Epub 2020 May 8.

Abstract

Background: Venous obstructions are frequent in patients with transvenous leads, although related clinical findings are rarely reported. After lead replacement or upgrade procedures, these lesions are even more frequent, but there is still no evidence to support this observation.

Aim: To investigate the incidence and possible risk factors for upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) after lead replacement or upgrade procedures.

Methods: Prospective cohort carried out between April 2013 and July 2016. Preoperative evaluation included venous ultrasound and pulmonary angiotomography. Diagnostic exams were repeated postoperatively to detect the study outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors.

Results: Among the 84 patients included, 44 (52.4%) were female and mean age was 59.3 ± 15.2 years. Lead malfunctioning (75.0%) was the main surgical procedure indication. Lead removal was performed in 44 (52.4%) cases. The rate of postoperative combined events was 32.6%, with 24 (28.6%) cases of UEDVT and six (7.1%) cases of PE. Clinical manifestations of deep venous thrombosis occurred in 10 (11.9%) patients. Independent prognostic factors for UEDVT were severe collateral circulation in the preoperative venography (odds ratio [OR] 4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-19.8; P = .037) and transvenous lead extraction (OR 27.4; 95% CI 5.8-128.8; P < .0001).

Conclusion: Reoperations involving previously implanted transvenous leads present high rates of thromboembolic complications. Transvenous lead extraction had a significant impact on the development of UEDVT. These results show the need of further studies to evaluate the role of preventive strategies for this subgroup of patients.

Keywords: Doppler; artificial; cardiac pacing; color; phlebography; pulmonary embolism; transvenous lead extraction; ultrasonography; venous thrombosis.

MeSH terms

  • Device Removal / adverse effects*
  • Electrodes, Implanted / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology*
  • Reoperation
  • Risk Factors
  • Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis / etiology*