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Question:
How might my pacemaker pocket infection be handled?
Have 2 month old pacemaker pocket infection. No fever; no fluid around pocket; no blood involvement, no skin erosion but skin has adhered to device in small area around leads. Removal of PM and leads will be VERY difficult. What are chances of success with cleaning pocket, salvaging leads and moving pocket to new location, and continuing antibiotics by IV?
submitted by Fred from The Woodlands on 2/25/2013
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Ali Massumi, MD
If there was clear evidence of pacemaker pocket infection, then the pacemaker and the leads would eventually have to come out. Leads cannot be salvaged. If, on the other hand, there is just a simple and superficial problem with the skin over the pacemaker, then treatment would be much simpler.
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Updated February 2013
