Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute (Miller Family) Outcomes
Arrhythmia
Pacemaker and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implants
Initial Implantation Complications: Pacemaker and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
2022, N =799
In 2022, Cleveland Clinic performed 452 pacemaker and 347 implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implants, for a total of 799 procedures with low rates of complications. The device-related infection rate within 90 days of implant was 0.3%. The overall complication rate for these implanted device procedures was 2.0%.ᵃ There were no procedure-related deaths.
| Complications | N | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Device-related infection within 90 days of implant | 2 | 0.3 |
| Overall major complication rate | 16 | 2.0 |
Source: EP Database
ᵃInitial implant: No prior device had been implanted (includes all devices for bradycardia and tachycardia); excludes special devices such as laptop and loop recorders. Percentage totals were rounded.
The overall major complication rate is inclusive of lead dislodgements, pneumothorax requiring a chest tube, device-related infections, and pericardial effusions with percutaneous interventions.
Lead Extraction Procedure: Volume, Success, and In-Hospital Mortality
2018 – 2022
Electrophysiologists at Cleveland Clinic perform a high number of lead extractions. Many of these patients have complex conditions that result in referral to Cleveland Clinic physicians. Leads may need removal because of malfunction, blocked blood vessels, or infection. In most cases, the leads can be removed without opening the chest or heart. A multidisciplinary approach is utilized to minimize the risk for this procedure.
A total of 861 lead extraction procedures were performed to remove 1551 leads at Cleveland Clinic from 2018 through 2022. The overall clinical success rateᵃ was 95.9%. In-hospital mortalityᵇ was 0.12% vs the benchmark¹ of 1.2%.
Source: EP Database
ᵃClinical success is defined as removal of all targeted leads and lead material from the vascular space or retention of a small portion of the lead (< 4 cm) that does not negatively impact the outcome goals of the procedure.
ᵇIn-hospital mortality was calculated by dividing the total number of in-hospital deaths (N = 1) by the total number of lead extraction procedures (N = 861).
Device Clinic Evaluations: Volume
2022, N = 83,078
Cleveland Clinic was the first hospital in the country to integrate a patient database for pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator follow-up with electronic medical records. This innovative approach to follow-up allows staff to keep track of patients’ health conditions regardless of the patient's location. Remote monitoring is also associated with increased longevity and decreased need for in-person follow-up.
The Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute uses the MyChart® function in Epic, Cleveland Clinic’s electronic medical record system, to quickly notify patients of their device status.
| Evaluation Type | N |
|---|---|
| Pacemaker evaluations | 34,405 |
| ICD evaluations | 37,653 |
| Implantable loop recorders | 11,020 |
ICD = implantable cardioverter defibrillator
Source: Device Clinic Volume Files
Secondary Implantation Complications: Pacemaker and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
2022, N = 501
In 2022, Cleveland Clinic doctors performed 501 secondary pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implants. The complication rates for all procedures were below the benchmark rates.
| Procedure Type | Number of Procedures | Major Complication N (%) | Benchmark (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICD with lead addition | 74 | 1 (1.35) | 17.4 |
| ICD without lead addition | 209 | 4 (1.91) | 5.8 |
| Pacemaker with lead addition | 63 | 0 (0.0) | 5.9 |
| Pacemaker without lead addition | 155 | 1 (0.65) | 2.3 |
ICD = implantable cardioverter defibrillator
Source: EP Database
