The Lead Episode 129: A Discussion of Worldwide Chronic Retrieval Experience of the Helix Fixation Leadless Cardiac Pacemaker

Join Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH, HRS Digital Education Committee Vice-Chair, and her guests Mikhael F. El-Chami, MD, FHRS and Devi G. Nair, MD, FHRS for this week's Lead episode.

This article summarizes the worldwide experience retrieving chronically implanted active helix-fixation leadless ventricular pacemakers (the Aveir/Abbott platform) across regulatory clinical trials. The authors assess real-world feasibility, procedural techniques, success rates, and complications of retrieval after long dwell times, demonstrating that devices can be removed safely and effectively even years after implant—up to about 9 years in follow-up. Overall, chronic retrieval success remained high with a low rate of serious adverse events, supporting helix-fixation leadless systems as a manageable long-term pacing strategy when replacement or removal is needed.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the clinical indications for chronic retrieval of helix-fixation leadless pacemakers and how these differ from tine-fixation platforms.

• Summarize the reported worldwide chronic retrieval success rates, implant-duration range, and key procedural or anatomic reasons for retrieval failure.

• Identify practical procedural considerations (e.g., docking-button access, retrieval catheter use, imaging support) that improve the likelihood of safe long-term leadless pacemaker removal.

Article for Discussion: Worldwide Chronic Retrieval Experience of the Helix Fixation Leadless Cardiac Paccemaker

Article Authors and Podcast Contributors

Article Authors

Derek V. Exner, Reinoud E. Knops, Daniel J. Cantillon, Pascal Defaye, Rajesh Banker, Paul Friedman, Chris Hubbard, Stephanie M. Delgado, Anuradha Bulusu, and Vivek Y. Reddy

Podcast Contributors

Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH

Mikhael F. El-Chami, MD, FHRS

Devi G. Nair, MD, FHRS

Faculty Disclosures

Host Disclosure(s):

T. Baykaner

•Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting: Volta Medical, Medtronic, Pacemate, Johnson and Johnson, Abbot Medical, Boston Scientific •Research: NIH ​Contributor Disclosure(s):

M. El-Chami

•Research: Medtronic, Boston Scientific •Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Medtronic, Boston Scientific

D. Nair

•Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Sieman's Healthineers •Membership on Advisory Committees: Biosense Webster, Medtronic, Abbott Medical, Boston Scientific

Staff Disclosure(s) (note: HRS staff are NOT in control of educational content. Disclosures are provided solely for full transparency to the learner):

S. Sailor: No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.