The Improvement of the Atrial Flutter Rhythm upon the Removal of the Infected Permanent Pacemaker Lead

Document Type : Case Report

Authors

1 Cardiac Surgeon, Cardiovascular Research Center, Ghaem Hospital Facultyof Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Fellowship of Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, Ghaem Hospital Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Cardiologist, Cardiovascular Research Center, Ghaem Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Pacemaker infection has multiple risk factors. Its presentation is most often similar to infected endocarditis and the diagnosis is made through studying blood cultures. Transesophageal echocardiography can confirm the diagnosis. The most common microorganisms are staphylococcus speciesis. As a matter of fact, complete pacemaker removal appears to be the only definite treatment. We presented a case of infected pacemaker lead which was firstly referred with fever and nephritic syndrome. She had intermittent atrial flutterrhythm. Therefore, a total infected pacemaker system was removed under cardiopulmonary bypass support. Yet, the lead was firmly attached to the septal leaflet of tricuspid valve while leaflet repair was needed. As a result, atrial flutter rhythm was converted into sinus rhythm after an incidental interruption of the macroreentrant circuit in the process of the tricuspid leaflet surgery.

Keywords


  1. Roman C, Bruley des Varannes S, Muresan L, Picos A, Dumitrascu DL. Atrial fibrillation in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: a comprehensive review. World J Gastroenterol. 2014; 20:9592-9.
  2. Gerson LB, Friday K, Triadafilopoulos G. Potential relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and atrial arrhythmias. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2006;40:828-32.
  3. Kunz JS, Hemann B, Edwin Atwood J, Jackson J, Wu T, Hamm C. Is there a link between gastroesophageal reflux disease and atrial fibrillation?. ClinCardiol. 2009;32:584-7.
  4. Reddy YM, Singh D, Nagarajan D, Pillarisetti J, Biria M, Boolani H, et al. Atrial fibrillation ablation in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease or irritable bowel syndrome-the heart to gut connection!. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2013; 37:259-65.
  5. Huang CC, Chan WL, Luo JC, Chen YC, Chen TJ, Chung CM, et al. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Atrial Fibrillation: A Nationwide Population-BasedStudy. PLoS One.2012; 7: e47575
  6. Nakamura H, Nakaji G, Shimazu H, Yasuda S, Odashiro K, Maruyama T, et al. Case of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation improved after the administration of proton pump inhibitor for associated reflux esophagitis. Fukuoka Igaku Zasshi. 2007; 98: 270–276.
  7. Stollberger C, Finsterer J. Treatment of esophagitis/vagitisinduced paroxysmal atrial fibrillation by proton-pump inhibitors. J Gastroenterol. 2003; 38:1109.
  8. Weigl M, Gschwantler M, Gatterer E, Finsterer J, Stollberger C. Reflux esophagitis in the pathogenesis of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: results of a pilot study. South Med J. 2003; 96: 1128–32.
  9. Bunch TJ, Packer DL, Jahangir A, Locke GR, Talley NJ, Gersh BJ, et al. Long-term risk of atrial fibrillation with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophagitis. Am J Cardiol. 2008; 102:1207–11.

10. Floria M, Drug VL. Atrial fibrillation and gastroesophageal reflux disease: From the cardiologist perspective. World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21:3154-6.

11. Lioni L, Letsas KP, Efremidis M, Vlachos K, Karlis D, Asvestas D, et al. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence following left atrial ablation. Int J Cardiol. 2015; 183:211-3.

12. Schauerte P, Scherlag BJ, Pitha J, Scherlag MAReynolds DLazzara R, et al. Catheter ablation of cardiac autonomic nerves for prevention of vagal atrial fibrillation. Circulation. 2000;102:2774–80.

13. Chen PS, Tan AY. Autonomic nerve activity and atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm. 2007;4(3 Suppl):61–4.

 

1. Baddour LM, Epstein AE, Erickson CC, Knight BP,Levison ME, Lockhart PB, et al. Update on cardiovascular implantable electronic deviceinfections and their management a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2010; 121:458‐77.

2. Voet J, Vandekerckhove YR, Muyldermans LL,Missault LH, Matthys LJ. Pacemaker lead infection:report of three cases and review of the literature.Heart. 1999;81:88‐91.

3. Bongiorni MG, Tascini C, Tagliaferri E, Di Cori A,Soldati E, Leonildi A, et al. Microbiology of cardiac implantable electronic device infections. Europace.2012; 14:1334‐9.

4. Viola GM, Awan LL, Ostrosky‐Zeichner L, Chan W,Darouiche RO. Infections of cardiac implantable electronic devices: a retrospective multicenter observational study. Medicine. 2012;91:123‐30.

5. Anastasio N, Frankel DS, Deyell MW, Zado E,Gerstenfeld EP, Dixit S, et al. Nearly uniform failure of atrial flutter ablation and continuation of antiarrhythmic agents (hybrid therapy) for the long‐term control of atrial fibrillation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2012;35:57‐61.