A novel use of EP catheter in extraction of trapped intracardiac devices: Two case reports

Abstract

The decision to retrieve chronically implanted abandoned leads and trapped intracardiac devices percutaneously has been difficult and highly controversial. We present two case reports in which electrophysiological ablation catheter was used to retrieve infected abandoned pacemaker lead and trapped permacatheter (permacath) in right ventricle. We could avert major cardiovascular surgeries in both the patients by simply modifying the traditionally used techniques for extraction of intracardiac devices.

Keywords

• EP catheter
• Retrieval
• Pacemaker leads
• Permacatheter
• Snares