Transvenous Pacemaker Lead Removal Is Safe and Effective Even in Large Vegetations: An Analysis of 53 Cases of Pacemaker Lead Endocarditis

Abstract

This study demonstrates that transvenous lead removal is a safe and highly effective procedure for the removal of infected pacemaker and ICD leads, even in patients with large vegetations. Embolism to the lung proceeds mainly without further complications; however, patients with vegetations that might obstruct a main stem of the pulmonary artery should undergo ECC removal.