Successful removal of a severed transvenous pacemaker electrode

The ease and simplicity of the transvenous approach to permanent pacing continue to be among its greatest advantages. However in a small proportion of transvenously paced patients complications can occur. A rare complication is an incompletely removed pacing catheter with subsequent embolization to more central parts of the cardiovascular system. This communication reports the migration of a severed transvenous pacemaker electrode and its removal from the left iliac vein with a femoral-ventricular pigtail catheter.