title: Contralateral replacement of pacemaker and leads following laser sheath extraction and concomitant stenting for superior vena cava syndrome.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, OLV Hospital, Aalst, Belgium. ihsanbak@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ihsan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bakir
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: La Meir
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Degrieck
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marien
authors.forename: Kristof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van den Hauwe
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wellens
mesh_terms: 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*