Lead-dependent infective endocarditis complicated by septic emboli

Abstract

Lead-dependent infective endocarditis (LDIE) has emerged as a serious complication of electrotherapy in the era of advanced medical technology and is a growing problem due to greater patient longevity, limited electrode life-time, an increasing number of abandoned leads, and subclinical symptoms. We present a case of dramatic course of LDIE in a 26 year-old patient in whom standard management had failed to cure endocarditis. This case was complicated by extensive pulmonary septic emboli and required cardio-thoracic intervention.
Kardiol Pol 2011; 69, 7: 696–698