Mobile echodensities on intracardiac device leads: Is it always a cause for concern?

Cardiac Imaging for Diagnosis and Management of Infective Endocarditis

Imaging is central to the care of patients with infective endocarditis. While transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography are the principle imaging techniques, additional modalities including positron emission tomography and cardiac computed tomography, and to a lesser extent intracardiac echocardiography, play an increasing role. This review discusses the role of cardiac imaging in establishing the diagnosis of endocarditis, in predicting its embolic risk and in making decisions regarding the need for and timing of surgery.

The prognostic value of transesophageal echocardiography after transvenous lead extraction: landscape after battle

Background

In patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction (TLE) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provide valuable information after procedure.

Methods

We analyzed data from 936 TEE performed in patients undergoing TLE between 2015 and 2019 (mean follow-up 566.23±224.47 days) and assessed the role of echocardiographic phenomena after procedure.

Results

Increment in tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was observed in 9% of patients after TLE. Factors increasing the risk of TR were: binding sites between lead and right ventricle (RV) (OR: 5.429), tricuspid valve (TV) (OR: 3.42), superior vena cava (SVC) (OR: 3.30) and lead-to-lead adhesions (OR: 2.88). Predisposing factors of residual structures after TLE were: asymptomatic masses on the leads (AMEL) (OR: 1.68), binding sites between SVC and cardiac structures (OR: 1.72), and multiple leads (OR: 1.30). Probability of vegetation remnants increased in the presence of abandoned leads (OR: 7.91). The risk factors of tamponade were: dwell time of the oldest lead (OR: 1.17), lead-to-lead adhesion (OR: 22.47), binding sites between lead and TV (OR: 6.08), RA (OR: 11.50), SVC (OR: 4.47), higher LVEF (OR: 2.35; P=0.006), female gender (OR: 5.43), multiple leads (OR: 2.11), looped leads (OR: 4.90) and AMEL (OR: 6.42). The risk of lead fracture was increased by: lead-to-lead adhesion (OR: 5.69), fibrosis binding the lead to RV (OR: 5.16), RA (OR: 2.39) and dwell time of the oldest lead (OR: 1.068). The mortality rate was 11.97% during follow-up. The risk of death was increased by: severe TR and vegetation remnants.

Conclusions

The most important phenomena evaluated after TLE are: tricuspid valve function, residual fibrosis and vegetation remnants, progression of pericardial effusion and retained lead fragments. Postoperative TEE provides information about the results of TLE and helps establish further management.

Prognostic Value of Preoperative Echocardiographic Findings in Patients Undergoing Transvenous Lead Extraction

(1) Background: In patients referred for transvenous lead extraction (TLE) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) often reveals abnormalities related to chronically indwelling endocardial leads. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the results of pre-operative TEE might influence the long-term prognosis. (2) Methods: We analyzed data from 936 TEE examinations performed at a high volume center in patients referred for TLE from 2015 to 2019. The follow-up was 566.2 ± 224.5 days. (3) Results: Multivariate analysis of TEE parameters showed that vegetations (HR = 2.631 [1.738–3.983]; p < 0.001) and tricuspid valve (TV) dysfunction unrelated to the endocardial lead (HR = 1.481 [1.261–1.740]; p < 0.001) were associated with increased risk for long-term mortality. Presence of fibrous tissue binding sites between the lead and the superior vena cava (SVC) and/or right atrium (RA) wall (HR = 0.285; p = 0.035), presence of penetration or perforation of the lead through the cardiac wall up to the epicardium (HR = 0.496; p = 0.035) and presence of excessive lead loops (HR = 0.528; p = 0.026) showed a better prognosis. After adjustment the statistical model with recognized poor prognosis factors only vegetations were confirmed as a risk factor (HR = 2.613; p = 0.039). A better prognosis was observed in patients with fibrous tissue binding sites between the lead and the superior vena cava (SVC) and/or right atrium (RA) wall (HR = 0.270; p = 0.040). (4) Conclusions: Non-modifiable factors may have a negative influence on long-term survival after TLE. Various forms of connective tissue overgrowth and abnormal course of the leads modifiable by TLE can be a factor of better prognosis after TLE.

Echocardiographic findings in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices-analysis of factors predisposing to lead-associated changes

BACKGROUND

The constant interaction between intracardiac leads and the heart and veins results in excessive accumulation of fibrous connective tissue around the leads. The extent of this pathological phenomenon, which is visible on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and predisposing factors are not well defined.

METHODS

We examined 936 transesophageal echocardiograms prior to transvenous lead extraction (TLE) performed at a high-volume centre between 2015 and 2019.

RESULTS

The most important echocardiographic findings were fibrous binding sites between leads and cardiovascular structures, lead-to-lead adhesions, excessive lead loops, lead-dependent tricuspid dysfunction (LDTD), asymptomatic masses on endocardial leads (AMEL) and vegetations. Fibrotic reaction within the walls of the heart and veins correlated with the presence of lead loops (OR = 1.771; p < .01) and lead dwell time (OR = 1.111; p < .001). Women were more likely to have excessive lead loops (OR = 1.639; p < .01), and the occurrence of loops increase with the number of implanted leads (OR = 2.557; p < .001). Heart failure (OR = 4.016; p < .001), lead looping (OR = 2.603; p < .01) and longer cumulative lead dwell time (OR = 1.017; p < .05) increased the likelihood of LDTD. A variety of AMEL were identified in this study, most commonly in patients with older leads (OR = 1.043; p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Lead dwell time is the main factor predisposing to the occurrence of most lead-associated phenomena visualized by TEE in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED). Excessive looping of the lead is an important cause of fibrous binding sites and LDTD. AMEL are frequently detected in CIED patients, and their various forms concurrent with vegetations could represent an evolutionary stage of lead-associated masses.