Solvent-facilitated lead disconnection for battery replacement in patients with pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators

Battery exchange in pacemaker (PM) or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) devices may be occasionally problematic because of difficulties in lead disconnection procedures and risk of injuring the fragile leads. This pilot study compares ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as solvents to assist removal of leads from PM or ICD device headers in cases of stuck leads or difficulties in untightening device header screws.

Of the total number (527) of our patients requiring battery replacement due to end-of-life (EOL) warnings, conventional exchange was not possible in 34 (6.5%) due to embedding of the lead within blood-derived material. Of these, 30 (17 with PM, 13 with ICD) consented to the study and were randomly assigned to a primary attempt at lead disconnection by ethanol (n = 17) or by DMSO (n = 13). If the primary attempt failed, a secondary attempt at lead disconnection was undertaken using the alternate solvent. Ethanol was a superior solvent compared with DMSO, yielding successful disconnection at primary attempt in 88.2% (15/17) vs. 23.1% (3/13) of cases. In 8 patients in whom the primary DMSO-attempted disconnection failed, a secondary attempt with ethanol yielded success in 6 (75%) cases. Use of either ethanol or DMSO in lead disconnection was not associated with any adverse events or effects.

Ethanol has utility as a simple and inexpensive modality for lead disconnection from ICD or PM headers.