Successful coronary sinus lead replacement despite total venous occlusion using femoral pull through, two operator counter-traction and subclavian venoplasty

Abstract

The majority of patients presenting for lead extraction have indications for a replacement lead. Venous stenosis is common in recipients of pacing leads and can impede ipsilateral lead replacement. Recanalization through an existing tract after lead extraction allows successful lead placement but may require complex hybrid lead extraction and revascularization techniques. We present a case in which a combination of femoral lead extraction with complete guidewire pull-through, two operator external counter-traction and subclavian venoplasty was used to successfully replace a coronary sinus lead in a patient with total subclavian venous occlusion.