Infection, although uncommon, can be the most lethal of all potential complication after transvenous pacemaker implantation.
When infection is present, removal of the electrode is the only successful means of therapy. The entrapped electrode can be removed by continous traction, by use of endoscopic forceps and snares, and by operation.
We report 2 cases of removal of infected transvenous pacemaker successfully.
In one case of staphylococcus aureus endocarditis associated with a retained pacemake electrode, the electrode was removed by hand traction.
The other case of skin infection of generater pocket, the electrode removed by orthpedic pulley system.
Consequently, we recommended removal of all hardware if there is infection of the pacemaker system.
(Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1995;28:404-8)
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