Skip Navigation

Europace 2004 6(3):243-247; doi:10.1016/j.eupc.2004.01.007
© 2004 by European Society of Cardiology
This Article
Right arrow Full Text Freely available
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (16)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Bracke, F.A.L.E.
Right arrow Articles by van Gelder, L.M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Bracke, F.A.L.E.
Right arrow Articles by van Gelder, L.M.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Lead extraction for device related infections: a single-centre experience

F.A.L.E. Bracke*, A Meijer and L.M. van Gelder

Department of Cardiology, Catharina Hospital Michelangelolaan 2, P.O. Box 1350, 5602 ZA Eindhoven, The Netherlands

AIMS: We report a single-centre experience of extraction of infected pacing and ICD leads.

METHODS: Retrospective study of consecutive lead extractions for infection. Lead extraction was by traction, or, if unsuccessful, a laser sheath was used. All procedures were performed in the operating room.

RESULTS: Leads were extracted in 82 patients including 66 patients (80%) with infection occurring after replacement of the generator or revision of the leads. Previous treatment, without lead extraction, had failed in 51 patients (62%). Major complications (tamponade or haemothorax) occurred in 6 patients, 2 patients died despite emergency surgery. One patient succumbed to ongoing sepsis. Of the patients alive, a follow-up of at least 6 months (27±17 months) was available in 76 patients. All patients were cured; none had a recurrence. In 31 patients (41%) pacing was abandoned after lead extraction; all remained asymptomatic.

CONCLUSION: Lead extraction is effective in curing pacemaker or ICD related infection, even after failed conservative therapy, but with a significant complication rate. The routine replacement of the generator should be reconsidered in patients in whom the indication for pacing is no longer valid, as the majority of infections occurred after revision of the system.

Key Words: pacemaker, infection, lead extraction

*Corresponding author. Tel.: +31-40-2397004; fax: +31-40-2447885. E-mail address: frank.bracke{at}cze.nl (F.A.L.E. Bracke).


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Ann. Thorac. Surg.Home page
A. Rusanov and H. M. Spotnitz
A 15-Year Experience With Permanent Pacemaker and Defibrillator Lead and Patch Extractions
Ann. Thorac. Surg., January 1, 2010; 89(1): 44 - 50.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EuropaceHome page
S. Hamid, A. Arujna, S. Khan, A. Ladwiniec, M. McPhail, J. Bostock, M. Mobb, N. Patel, C. Bucknall, and C. A. Rinaldi
Extraction of chronic pacemaker and defibrillator leads from the coronary sinus: laser infrequently used but required
Europace, February 1, 2009; 11(2): 213 - 215.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Am Coll CardiolHome page
R. G. Hauser
The Growing Mismatch Between Patient Longevity and the Service Life of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., June 21, 2005; 45(12): 2022 - 2025.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.