Abstract 19495: Extraction of St. Jude Riata Leads: Clinical Experience and Outcomes at a High Volume Extraction Center

Abstract

Objectives: St. Jude Riata leads were recalled December 2011. We sought to compare our procedural experience and outcomes extracting the Riata defibrillator lead with extraction of non-Riata leads. Methods: Data was obtained from 2008-2012 from a prospective lead extraction registry established at a single tertiary referral high volume extraction center. The experience with Riata extraction was analyzed and compared with extractions performed on non-Riata leads in a cohort of patients matched for comorbidities using the Charlson comorbidity index. Results: A total of seventy-two patients had Riata lead extractions, 35 for electrical malfunction and 37 for infections. There were 53 males (73.6%) and 19 females (26.4%). Flouroscopy before extraction revealed exteriorized cables on 15 patients (20.8%). Of patients with infections, 20 (54.1%) had vegetations ranging in size from 3-32 mm. Average age for Riata lead was 60 years old, and average ejection fraction (EF) was 42% +/- 8%. All leads were successfully extracted with no major complications. One patient developed a minor complication of arm swelling that resolved at two weeks. Rate of complications in the matched cohort of seventy two patients with extraction of non-Riata leads was .1%. There was no statistically significant difference in complication rates. Conclusion: Riata lead extraction is a safe procedure. Current techniques allow successful extraction in a majority of cases.