Role of transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of infected retained pacing lead.
A 68-year-old woman had a transvenous pacemaker implanted 6 years ago. One year after the procedure the pulse generator was removed due to generator site infection. Efforts to remove the lead resulted in fracture of the tip, which was abandoned in the right cardiac cavities. After this the patient suffered intermittent episodes of fever and chills, which responded to antibiotic therapy. At her recent admission, transesophageal echocardiography revealed a large mass attached to the free end of the fractured lead suggestive of the existence of a vegetation on the pacing lead. The diagnosis was confirmed at surgery.
Barbetseas
J
J
Department of Cardiology, Athens University School of Medicine, Greece.
Lalos
S
S
Kyriakidis
M
M
Aggeli
C
C
Toutouzas
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents