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. 2015 Mar;23(1):27-31.
doi: 10.4250/jcu.2015.23.1.27. Epub 2015 Mar 30.

Superior vena cava echocardiography as a screening tool to predict cardiovascular implantable electronic device lead fibrosis

S Jeffrey Yakish  1 , Arvin Narula  1 , Robert Foley  2 , Andrew Kohut  2 , Steven Kutalek  2
Affiliations

Superior vena cava echocardiography as a screening tool to predict cardiovascular implantable electronic device lead fibrosis

S Jeffrey Yakish et al. J Cardiovasc Ultrasound. 2015 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Currently there is no noninvasive imaging modality used to risk stratify patients requiring lead extractions. We report the novel use of superior vena cava (SVC) echocardiography to identify lead fibrosis and complex cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) lead extraction. With an aging population and expanding indications for cardiac device implantation, the ability to deal with the complications associated with chronically implanted device has also increased.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of Doppler echocardiography recorded in our outpatient Electrophysiology/Device Clinic office over 6 months. Images from 109 consecutive patients were reviewed.

Results: 62% (68/109) did not have a CIED and 38% (41/109) had a CIED. In patients without a CIED, 6% (4/68) displayed turbulent color flow by Doppler in the SVC, while 22% (9/41) of patients with a CIED displayed turbulent flow. Fisher's exact test found a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p value < 0.05). The CIED group was subdivided into 2 groups based on device implant duration (< 2 years vs. ≥ 2 years). Of the CIED implanted for ≥ 2 years, 27% (9/33) had turbulent flow in the SVC by Doppler, while no patients (0/8) with implant durations < 2 years demonstrated turbulent flow. Nine patients underwent subsequent lead extraction. A turbulent color pattern successfully identified all 3 patients that had significant fibrosis in the SVC found during extraction.

Conclusion: Our data suggests that assessing turbulent flow using color Doppler in the SVC may be a valuable noninvasive screening tool prior to lead extraction in predicting complex procedures.

Keywords: Cardiac implantable electronic device; Echocardiography; Lead extraction.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Supraclavicular view of the superior vena cava
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Color Doppler showing turbulent flow within the superior vena cava (SVC) (A) and displays normal flow in the SVC (B).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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