[Pacemaker-induced infection: diagnosis by multi-plane transesophageal echocardiography].
We report the identification by multiplane transesophageal echocardiography of a vegetation on a permanent pacemaker lead in a patient with persistent bacteriemia. The lesion could not be visualized with transthoracic echocardiography. The diagnosis of vegetation was based on the visualization of a freely highly mobile mass attached to the pacemaker lead, with different echogenicity from the lead. The entire pacing system was surgically removed through a right atrial approach, and inspection confirmed pacemaker lead vegetation. We conclude that transesophageal echocardiography should be considered to investigate suspected pacemaker lead infection in patients with negative transthoracic echocardiography.
Corrado
G
G
Servizio di Cardiologia, Ospedale Generale Valduce, Como.
Tarelli
G
G
Santarone
M
M
D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology
Infezione di elettrocatetere di pacemaker: diagnosi con ecocardiografia transesofagea multiplana.