Oldest-in-Human Successful Extraction Experience of a Novel Substernal
Extravascular Defibrillator
Abstract
Introduction: Substernal extravascular defibrillators (EV ICDs)
have been shown to be effective and safe for patients at risk of sudden
cardiac death, however, there is little evidence around the safety of
extracting chronic devices. Methods and Results: We present a
50-year-old patient in whom a Medtronic EV ICD system was successfully
removed without specialist extraction tools, 186 weeks after
implantation, by an operator experienced in transvenous lead extraction
but without formal training in EVICD implantation. Conclusion:
The successful extraction of an EV ICD system is possible without
specialised tools at least 3.6 years post-implant.