[Successful removal of an infected pacemaker electrode, drifted into the right atrium, by using a lead removal kit].
A 65-year-old male was suffered complications from an infected pacemaker in the left subclavian region. The generator was removed and its electrode was cut at the vascular entry. A new system was implanted on the other side. Two months later, he suffered from persistent fever which required administration of antibiotics for 2 months. 7 months later, the cut end of the infected electrode was found to have drifted into the right atrium. Its removal was performed to prevent a potential exacerbation of the systemic infection. We were able to pick up an end of the electrode using a basket catheter which was inserted through the right internal jugular vein to extract it. The lead was then successfully removed using a lead removal kit.
Nakata
T
T
Second Department of Surgery and Faculty of Health Science, Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan.
Sato
N
N
Ohsuka
Y
Y
Takahashi
H
H
Koutani
T
T
Kawachi
K
K
D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D004566:Electrodes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants