Oldest-in-Human Successful Extraction Experience of a Novel Substernal Extravascular Defibrillator

INTRODUCTION: Substernal extravascular defibrillators (EV ICDs) have been shown to be effective and safe for patients at risk of sudden cardiac death, however, there is little evidence around the safety of extracting chronic devices.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We present a 50-year-old patient in whom a Medtronic EV ICD system was successfully removed without specialist extraction tools, 186 weeks after implantation, by an operator experienced in transvenous lead extraction but without formal training in EVICD implantation.

CONCLUSION: The successful extraction of an EV ICD system is possible without specialised tools at least 3.6 years post-implant.