From Failure to Success: Lithotripsy Transforms Lead Extraction in a
Same-Patient Case
Abstract
Cardiac implantable electronic device infections often necessitate
extraction, which can be complicated by calcified adhesions, leading to
increased procedural risk and reduced efficacy. This report presents the
first reported case where shockwave intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) was
successfully employed to extract a severely calcified lead system after
an initial extraction attempt failed due to extensive calcification.
Despite prior findings suggesting no significant difference in clinical
success rates with IVL, this case demonstrates IVL’s effectiveness in
overcoming challenging calcified adhesions, advocating for further
research to optimize its use in complex lead extractions.