Extraction of an intravascularized pacemaker lead--a new approach to an unusual problem.
A new catheter approach to removing an intravascularized, nonfunctional pacemaker lead which was fixed at both distal (right ventricular endocardium) and proximal (brachiocephalic vein/superior vena cava) ends is described. This case also emphasizes the need for removal of an old pacemaker lead that caused bacteremia in a patient with a prosthetic aortic valve even when infection was presumed to be cured.
D000368:Aged; D016121:Brachiocephalic Veins; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D004754:Enterobacter; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior