Transvenous Extraction of Pacemaker and Defibrillator Leads and the Risk of Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation

Objectives: The aims of this study were to detect and quantify acute increases in tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity following transvenous lead extraction (TLE) and to evaluate the associated risk factors. Background: Although established as a safe and effective method for lead removal, TLE is sometimes complicated by TR. Methods: In 208 consecutive patients undergoing TLE, acute changes in TR severity were assessed by transesophageal echocardiography. A significant acute TR increase (TRI) was defined as a ≥1 grade increase in TR severity and post-extraction TR severity that was moderate or greater. Results: Overall, 266 ventricular leads (mean lead age, 11.8 ± 7.3 years) were extracted from the 208 patients. A significant acute TRI was observed in 24 (11.5%) of these patients. Acute TRI was associated with longer lead implant duration, extraction of pacemaker rather than defibrillator leads, anatomic injury to the tricuspid valve (TV), and longer post-extraction hospital stays. Multivariate analysis yielded only lead implant duration as an independent predictor of TLE-related acute TRI (odds ratio: 1.05; 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.11; p = 0.046). When the patients were divided into 4 subgroups according to quartiles of lead age, there was a graded elevation in the rates of acute TRI (p trend = 0.048) and TV injury (p trend = 0.009) with lead implant duration. Conclusions: Following TLE, TV damage and acute TRI were commonly detected by transesophageal echocardiography, particularly in patients with advanced lead age. Lead abandonment strategies, which prolong implantation duration of future leads requiring extraction, should consider the potential long-term deleterious impact on TV function.