[Recurrent septicaemia following incomplete removal of pacemaker leads].
BACKGROUND
Septicaemia on endocardial pacemaker leads is very rare but the presentation is insidious and the prognosis very bad if all the implanted materiel is not completely removed.


METHODS
A 55 year-old woman presented three episodes of Staphylococcus epidermidis septicaemia in three years, after incomplete removal of the pacing system. Permanent cure was finally obtained after complete removal of the pacemaker material.


CONCLUSIONS
Emphasis must be placed on the difficulty in diagnosing and treating such affections, their severity and also the interest of a certain number of prophylactic measures.
Griffet
Vincent
V
Service de cardiologie, Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées, Lyon. alhmadies@oreka.com
Caignault
Jean-Raymond
JR
Godon
Patrick
P
Guérard
Sylvain
S
Brion
Richard
R
Chevalier
Philippe
P
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001247:Asthenia / Q000382:microbiology; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011379:Prognosis; D011486:Protein C / Q000378:metabolism; D012008:Recurrence; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011486:Protein C