Extraction of chronically infected transvenous pacemaker leads: report of an unusual problem

This is a report of a patient with an impacted, chronically infected transvenous pacemaker lead whose management was complicated by the presence of a functioning contralateral transvenous pacemaker. Treatment included sustained traction on the infected lead, a left subcostal thoracotomy for placement of new sutureless epicardial leads, and retrograde right iliac vein cannulation for final snare removal of the mobilized lead. The patient is currently free of infection, and has normal pacemaker function.