Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Role of the Bridge balloon in improving the safety of transvenous lead extraction procedures
Authors' conclusion
Introduction of the Bridge balloon was associated with reduced TLE mortality, particularly in electrophysiology laboratory procedures, despite more complex cases.
Study context
- Population
- Patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction (TLE) at one centre, 1996–2022
- Participants
- 4,946 patients
- Exposure
- Bridge balloon era vs pre-balloon era
- Bridge balloon eran = 1,369
- Pre-balloon eran = 3,577reference
- Outcome
- Periprocedural mortality
Methodological detailsbefore–after comparison
- Before–after comparison
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Procedure-related deaths
Bridge balloon era
0
events
Pre-balloon era
0.3%
12 of 3577
P = 0.03
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Intraprocedural death, EP laboratory procedures (subgroup)
P = 0.007
7-day mortality, EP laboratory procedures (subgroup)
P = 0.005
Predictors of prophylactic balloon placement
| OR | P value | |
|---|---|---|
| Older lead age | 1.12 | P < 0.001 |
| Higher combined age of leads | 1.04 | P = 0.003 |
| Defibrillator leads | 1.50 | P < 0.001 |
| Outcome | Bridge balloon era | Pre-balloon era |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge balloon use (balloon era) | ||
| Prophylactic placement | 794 (58%) | — not stated in the abstract |
| Rescue activation | 21 (1.5%) | — not stated in the abstract |
— not stated in the abstract
Safety
Rescue sternotomy · balloon era had older leads
P < 0.001
Original publication
Role of the Bridge balloon in improving the safety of transvenous lead extraction procedures. Heart Rhythm. Published 26 June 2025. doi:10.
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