TELECTRONICS-330-801 ATRIAL LEAD EXTRACTION VIA THE SUBCLAVIAN APPROACH

Background. The Telectronics 330-801 atrial J (801) lead was recalled after reports implicated lead fracture/retention wire protrusion in pa tient mortality and morbidity. Recent reports suggest that 801 lead ex traction may be associated with substantial morbidity and, possibly, e xcess mortality. We hypothesized that the 801 lead could be extracted using the subclavian approach with a high success rate and acceptable morbidity. Methods. We analyzed the clinical outcomes in 60 consecutiv e patients who underwent 801 lead extraction. Results. Sixty patients (34 women) with a mean age of 67 +/- 14.8 years had 18 class I, 13 cla ss II, and 29 class III fractures. The lead age was 39 +/- 17 months. The subclavian approach was successful in 58 of 60 patients (96%). Com plications, three major and eight minor, occurred in 10 of 60 patients (16%). All complications were successfully treated. There were no dea ths. Only concurrent ventricular lead extraction was associated with c omplications (p = 0.008 by Fisher's exact test). Conclusions. Telectro nics 801 leads can be successfully extracted using the subclavian appr oach with acceptable short-term morbidity, low mortality, and excellen t long-term results.