AimsThe aim of the present study was to describe a 10 years single-centre experience in pacing and defibrillating leads removal using an effective and safe modified mechanical dilatation technique.Methods and resultsWe developed a single mechanical dilating sheath extraction technique with multiple venous entry site approaches. We performed a venous entry site approach (VEA) in cases of exposed leads and an alternative transvenous femoral approach (TFA) combined with an internal transjugular approach (ITA) in the presence of very tight binding sites causing failure of VEA extraction or in cases of free-floating leads. We attempted to remove 2062 leads [1825 pacing and 237 implantable cardiac defibrillating (ICD) leads; 1989 exposed at the venous entry site and 73 free-floating] in 1193 consecutive patients. The VEA was effective in 1799 leads, the TFA in 28, and the ITA in 205; in the overall population, we completely removed 2032 leads (98.4%), partially removed 18 (0.9%), and failed to remove 12 leads (0.6%). Major complications were observed in eight patients (0.7%), causing three deaths (0.3%).ConclusionMechanical single sheath extraction technique with multiple venous entry site approaches is effective, safe, and with a good cost effective profile for pacing and ICD leads removal.

Background —The benefits of vessel recanalization in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are limited by reperfusion damage. In animal models, adenosine limits reperfusion injury, reducing infarct size and improving ventricular function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of adenosine adjunct to primary PTCA in AMI. Methods and Results —Fifty-four AMI patients undergoing primary PTCA were randomized to intracoronary adenosine or saline. The 2 groups were similar for age, sex, and infarct location. Adenosine administration was feasible and well tolerated. PTCA was successful in all patients and resulted in TIMI 3 flow in all patients given adenosine and in 19 given saline ( P <0.05). The no-reflow phenomenon occurred in 1 adenosine patient and in 7 saline patients ( P =0.02). Creatine kinase was lower in the adenosine group, and a Q-wave MI developed in 16 adenosine patients and in 23 saline patients ( P =0.04). Sixty-four percent of dyssynergic segments improved in the adenosine group and 36% in the saline group ( P =0.001). Function worsened in 2% of dyssynergic segments in the adenosine group and in 20% in the saline group ( P =0.0001). Adverse cardiac events occurred in 5 patients in the adenosine group and in 13 patients in the saline group ( P =0.03). Conclusions —Intracoronary adenosine administration is feasible and well tolerated in AMI. Adenosine adjunct to primary PTCA ameliorates flow, prevents the no-reflow phenomenon, improves ventricular function, and is associated with a more favorable clinical course.

The aim of this study was This approach, based on the time domain analysis of the radiofrequency signals, appears promising as a means to establish certain aspects of ultrasonic diagnosis on a more quantitative basis.3,4 The assessment of regional myocardial fibrosis would be of particular interest since excessive myocardial fibrosis is both an important sign and is associated with a variety of myocardial diseases.Even though there were substantial problems in comparing exactly the anatomic region interrogated by the ultrasound technique versus the same area sampled by the endomyocardial biopsy, the aim of this study was to assess in vivo whether the regional ultrasonic reflectivity, evaluated by a real-time integrated backscatter