title: One stage side-to-side replacement of infected pulse generators and leads.
abstract: Infected and contaminated cardiac pulse generators and leads must be removed entirely in order to effect a cure. We have shown through our experience with 68 consecutive cases that explantation of the offending system and replacement of a new device on the opposite side can be safely accomplished in one sitting--a side-to-side replacement--as long as there is appropriate case selection. There were no early or late infections of the new operative site.
authors.affiliation: Pacemaker and Defibrillator Evaluation Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey 07112, USA.
authors.forename: Ramavathi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nandyala
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Parsonnet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011379:Prognosis; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome