ABL08: THROMBOSIS OF THE SUBCLAVIAN VEIN IN PATIENTS WITH PERMANENT PACEMAKER OR ICD LEADS

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate existence of thrombosis of the subclavian vien in the patients with permanent pacemakers (pm) or ICDs.

Methods

159 patients mean age 67.3 years (range 27-86), 82 men, with ischaemic heart disease n=65, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy n=8, diabetes mellitus n=20, valvular heart disease n=19, hypertension n=45, myopericarditis n=2, 120 with VVI pm, 30 with DDD pm and 9 with ICD underwent Color duplex scan examination on ALOKA SSD 1700, by the linear probe of 7,5 MHz. Morphological and hemodynamic parameters were used for the flow appraisal.Implantation involved cephalic vein cutdown whenever possible or direct puncture of the subclavian vein. Introducers were 7-9Fr for pm leads and 10.5-12Fr for ICD leads. The time from implantation to examination was 4.5±2.1 years (6 months to 7 years).

Results

The signs of asymptomatic thrombosis (total or partial) were found in 101 (63%) patients (47 men); with complete occlusion there were 28 (28%) patients. They were 66.1±11 years old, average pacing duration was 4±0.5 years. These patients were total asymptomatic of local finding. Pain and swelling of the arm had only 1(0.6%) patient, after 23 months of implantation induced by hard physical work (dual chamber pm, implanted on the right side).

Conclusion

Thrombosis of the subclavia vein is expected and is rare associated with serious problems. The incidence of venous thrombosis was not related to the routes of entry of the pacing leads and pm implantation side.