Current practice in transvenous lead extraction: a European Heart Rhythm Association EP Network Survey.

AIM Current practice with regard to transvenous lead extraction among European implanting centres was analysed by this survey. METHODS AND RESULTS Among all contacted centres, 164, from 30 countries, declared that they perform transvenous lead extraction and answered 58 questions with a compliance rate of 99.9%. Data from the survey show that there seems to be an overall increasing experience of managing various techniques of lead extraction and a widespread involvement of cardiac centres in this treatment. Results and complication rates seem comparable with those of main international registries. CONCLUSION This survey gives an interesting snapshot of lead extraction in Europe today and gives some clues for future research and prospective European registries.