Contralateral replacement of pacemaker and leads following laser sheath extraction and concomitant stenting for superior vena cava syndrome.
We present the case of a 61-year-old man with a history of pacemaker implantation 15 years ago. The patient was admitted with chronic swelling of the right hemithorax and inflammation of the old incision scar after the replacement of pacemaker generator 6 years ago. The patient also presented symptoms and clinical signs of superior vena cava syndrome. Computed tomography of the thorax showed obstruction of the superior vena cava. The surgical procedure consisted of extraction of infected pacemaker system with excimer laser technique followed by dilatation and stenting of the SVC and finally implantation of a new permanent pacemaker system on the left side.
Bakir
Ihsan
I
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, OLV Hospital, Aalst, Belgium. ihsanbak@yahoo.com
La Meir
Marc
M
Degrieck
Ivan
I
Marien
Catherine
C
Van den Hauwe
Kristof
K
Wellens
Francis
F
D020878:Device Removal; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015607:Stents; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*