[Infections on permanent endocavitary pacemaker leads: value of transesophageal echocardiography]

The prevalence of infection of permanent pacing material ranges from 0.13 to 19.9% of patients according to published series. The seriousness of this condition requires early diagnosis and treatment. Transesophageal echocardiography visualised vegetations on the intracardiac pacing lead in all of 11 patients studied, whereas transthoracic echocardiography and polynuclear leucocyte scintigraphy only provided positive diagnoses in 4 cases for each investigation. Three types of vegetation were visualised; no cases of tricuspid valve endocarditis were observed. Treatment was based on explantation of all implanted material by endovascular traction in 7 cases and by surgery in the other 4 cases according to the results of transesophageal echocardiography. There were no deaths or recurrence of infection. Transesophageal echocardiography is the investigation of choice for imaging a vegetation on an endocavitary pacing lead. Complete explanation is essential for a complete recovery of this infection.