A novel technique for removal of permanent pacemaker leads.

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.