Feasibility and safety of a transvenous lead extraction program implementation in South America: Challenges, early outcomes, and global collaboration—A single-center experience

Background: Transvenous lead extraction is the standard of care for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) malfunction/infection-related removal. However, data on its performance and results in underdeveloped countries are limited. Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the feasibility and efficacy of a lead extraction program in a tertiary hospital in Chile, South America. Methods: Patients requiring CIED removal at the Electrophysiology Division of the Hospital las Higuera's were retrospectively analyzed. Outcomes including procedure-related mortality, procedural success and failure, and cardiac and vascular complications were reported. Results: A total of 15 patients were analyzed (median age 68 [interquartile range 52–75] years; 80% male). Patients with lead extraction difficulty index >10 represented 33% of patients. Infection was the indication for removal in all patients, with pocket infection (80%). Mechanical rotational tools were used in 66% of cases, and a total of 29 leads were removed. Procedural success was accomplished in 93% of cases. There was 1 (7%) intraprocedural complication and no procedure-related mortality. Conclusions: The development of a lead management program is feasible, safe, and effective in underdeveloped countries.