[Extraction of infected pacemaker electrode using catheter and snare]

Abstract

A 85-year-old man had undergone implantation of a transvenous pacemaker system in 1982. Nine years later the generator was explanted and he was underwent implantation of a new generator and electrode. After one year of the second operation, infection of the old electrode had been noted and it was not cured in spite of partial explantation of the infected electrode and appropriate antibiotic therapy. We decided to remove the infected electrode and succeeded in extraction using catheter and snare. The patient's recovery was uneventful. We suggest catheter and snare is useful for explantation of chronic transvenous pacemaker electrodes.