Lead extraction: A new effective tool to overcome fibrous binding sites

We report the case of a 50 year-old woman referred for extraction of an infected biventricular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) who underwent device and leads extraction. Due to adhesions at the level of the subclavian-innominate vein angle, manual traction with locking stylet was ineffective. A new mechanical sheath provided with a stainless steel bladed tip, the EvolutionTM Mechanical Dilator Sheath (Cook Medical), was successfully used to complete lead extraction. As far as we know, this is the first report on the use of this new tool; its safety should be ascertained by increasing the number of cases but its simple use and its low cost make the EvolutionTM Mechanical Dilator Sheath a new interesting tool that can be added to the instruments available for lead extraction. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC