Endocarditis related to PM-lead infection

Endocarditis related to PM-lead infection is a rare but serious complication of permanent transvenous pacing.

The reported incidence after permanent endocardial PM implantation varies in the literature from 0.13% to 7%.

Medical treatment alone is rarely successful, and several studies have suggested that the material should be removed quickly for optimal management.

The natural history of such infection is dismal, with a mortality rate of 33%.

The diagnosis of endocarditis related to PM-lead infection should be suspected in the presence of fever, complications, or pulmonary lesions after PM insertion.

Transesophageal echocardiography should be performed to look for vegetations. Staphylococci are involved in the majority of these infections.

The endocardial system must be entirely removed and appropriate antibiotic therapy pursued for 6 weeks.

The echo lady; Lorena De Vanna, is a cardiac and respiratory physiologist graduated from the Central University of Venezuela.