General population findings
We enrolled 451 patients, with 16 patients (3%) lost to follow-up and
consequent a total population of 435 patients. Table I showed the main
baseline characteristics of our cohort (435 patients, mean age was
70±12, male prevalence 77%), with evidence of systolic dysfunction
(mean left ventricular ejection fraction LVEF: 44 ± 13%) and high rates
of comorbidities (14% of patients affected by coexisting hypertension,
diabetes mellitus and severe chronic renal disease, 86% of patients
affected by two of these risk factors).The source hospital in 269
patients (62% of population) was our hub centre, whereas 38% of
patients were referred from spoke centres to our hub in order perform
TLE. Noteworthy, on a total of 929 extracted leads, the mean lead
dwelling time was 6.8 ± 16.7 years. The majority of extracted devices
were bicameral (51%). Three hundred ninety-six patients (92%)
presented with an infective indication to TLE, whereas the remaining 39
patients (8%) underwent TLE due to a malfunctioning cause. In
particular, the most frequent indications to TLE were pocket infection
(68%) and definite CIED endocarditis (46%). Complete procedural
success rate was reached in 98% of patients. Furthermore, 313 patients
(72%) were reimplanted before discharge (Table I).