[Pacemaker infection with superior vena cava thrombotic obstruction, followed by bacteremia: a case report]

Infection is one of the complications brought about sometimes by pacemaker implantation. This is a case report, showing superior vena cave obstruction after pacemaker implantation, followed by bacteremia after 5 years. Gallium-67 scintigraphy was the most effective method to survey the source of the infection. We performed the operation and found vegetation (1 cm x 1 cm) attaching to the pacemaker lead and an organized thrombosis in the superior vena cava. The lead and the vegetation were removed. The administration of antibiotics after the operation led to the patient's complete recovery. Post operative gallium-67 scintigraphy didn't reveal any sign of infection at the mediastinum.