[Surgical therapy of intracardiac infected pacemaker electrodes and catheter remnants].

With the increase of pacemaker and central venous catheter implantation the number of intracardiac infections now constitutes a significant problem. Twenty patients between 22 and 77 years of age admitted for intracardial infected pacemaker probes or central venous catheter remnants presented with recurring attacks of endocarditic fever; in one case multiple pulmonary abscesses resulted from septic embolization. Staphylococci were the most frequently involved organism (75%). Risk factors leading to intracardiac infection were local reoperations and diabetes mellitus. Removal of the foreign body was achieved by cardiotomy in all cases. Twelve patients were operated upon without the use of the heart-lung machine, but extracorporeal circulation was necessary in 8 patients. There was one fatality in each of the 2 techniques, for a total mortality rate of 10%. In all cases the foreign bodies were removed without intracardial damage and the endocarditis was cured. When attempts at external extraction fail, the foreign body should be removed by either open or closed cardiotomy. This limits the danger of injury to the heart and of embolization of septic or thrombotic material. The use of the heart-lung machine is especially indicated in the presence of widespread, firm adhesions, or large bacterial vegetations and thrombi.