Abstract
We removed from 4 patients pacemaker leads that had migrated or become infected. Case 1: A 62-year-old man developed uncontrollable infection of the pacing leads. Case 2: A 78-year-old man, whose infected pacemaker was removed, had a second one implanted in the contralateral side; the pacing lead infection from the first procedure, however, was uncontrollable. Case 3: A 56-year-old woman presented with dyspnea and hepatomegaly subsequent to the second implantation of a pacemaker; the pacing leads from the first procedure caused severe stenosis in both the superior and inferior vena cavae. Case 4: A 60-year-old woman had a ruptured and migrated pacing lead in the right ventricle. We operated using a cardiopulmonary bypass and a specially designed plastic tube for removal of the leads. Although Case 2 required reconstruction of the vena cavae, all patients recovered. When removal of pacing leads is necessary, it should be done as soon as possible with cardiopulmonary bypass.
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Shimada, Y., Kawata, M., Iwasaki, Y. et al. A novel technique for removal of permanent pacemaker leads. Jpn J Thorac Caridovasc Surg 52, 75–77 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-004-0088-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-004-0088-x