Surgical extraction of infected pacemaker leads after cardiac surgery

Surgical extraction of permanent pacemaker leads is performed when noninvasive extraction is felt to be unsafe or has been unsuccessfully attempted. Surgical extraction in patients with previous cardiac surgery presents a particular challenge as re-sternotomy is hazardous and the presence of surgical adhesions makes video-assisted approaches difficult. We report 2 cases of successful deployment of a surgical technique using femorofemoral cardiopulmonary bypass and right anterior thoracotomy for removal of pacemaker leads.