Aims The GermAn Laser Lead Extraction GallerY (GALLERY) is a retrospective, national multicentre registry, investigating the safety and efficacy of laser lead extraction procedures in Germany. Methods and results Twenty-four German centres that are performing laser lead extraction have participated in the registry. All patients, treated with a laser lead extraction procedure between January 2013 and March 2017, were consecutively enrolled. Safety and efficacy of laser lead extraction were investigated. A total number of 2524 consecutive patients with 6117 leads were included into the registry. About 5499 leads with a median lead dwell time of 96 (62–141) months were treated. The mean number of treated leads per patient was 2.18 ± 1.02. The clinical procedural success rate was 97.86% and the complete lead removal was observed in 94.85%. Additional extraction tools were used in 6.65% of cases. The rate of procedural failure was 2.14% with lead age  ≥10 years being its only predictor. The overall complication rate was 4.32%, including 2.06% major and 2.26% minor complications. Procedure-related mortality was 0.55%. Female sex and the presence of abandoned leads were predictors for procedure-related complications. The all-cause in-hospital mortality was 3.56% with systemic infection being the strongest predictor, followed by age ≥75 years and chronic kidney disease. Conclusion In the GALLERY, a high success- and low procedure-related complication rates have been demonstrated. In multivariate analysis, female sex and the presence of abandoned leads were predictors for procedure-related complications, while the presence of systemic infection, age ≥75 years, and chronic kidney disease were independent predictors for all-cause mortality.

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A 72-year-old patient was referred to the neuroradiological department for diagnostic angiography. She was suffering from vertigo and double vision. Magnetic resonance imaging performed elsewhere had demonstrated a giant aneurysm of the basilar artery tip 2 cm in diameter. Angiography revealed a large aneurysm with a broad neck that was partially thrombosed, which precluded closure by coiling. Neurosurgical management by clipping also appeared to be unsuitable because of the proximity to the cerebrum. The decision was reached to proceed expectantly by closely monitoring the clinical course. When the aneurysm increased in size in the ensuing weeks, coiling was performed successfully. Angiographic follow-up showed reperfusion of the aneurysm neck and closure was again achieved by repeat coiling. Reperfusion is not a rare complication following coiling and often necessitates renewed intervention.