Brachiocephalic Arteriovenous Fistula after Transvenous Pacemaker Lead Extraction for Pacemaker Lead Infection / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Transvenous pacemaker lead extraction (TLE) techniques for pacemaker lead infection have developed in recent years. Several minimally invasive methods for TLE have been devised, but fatal complications are not rare in these procedures. We present the case of a 26-year-old woman with Brugada syndrome referred to our hospital with wound infection, 3 years after implantation. She had the 2 infected leads completely removed with laser sheaths and underwent antibiotic therapy. On post operative day 8, pulsatile mass with thrilling was noted at the suprasternal notch. Enhanced CT examination revealed the fistula between the brachiocephalic artery and vein (AVF). Operation was scheduled to close the fistula. Early in the morning of the scheduled operation day, extensive bleeding from the ruptured mass on the suprasternal notch occurred and emergency operation was done to suture the bleeding point and ligate both side of the fistula of the brachiocephalic vein, using an occlusion balloon inserted into the brachiocephalic artery. The postoperative course was uneventful. AVF after TLE is a rare complication. Although the cardiac implantable electronic device can provide life-saving benefits, device-associated complications should be managed carefully.

Surgical Treatment of Apical Abscess Associated with Mitral Valve Infective Endocarbitis / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Infective endocarditis with apical abscess is very rare. A 49-year-old man was admitted in a diabetic coma. The next day, he suddenly developed chest pain and headache. Echocardiogram revealed mitral valve vegetations and mitral regurgitation, and brain CT showed multiple cerebral hemorrhage that was thought to be due to cerebral embolism. Surgery was performed on the 10th hospital day for progressive heart failure. During surgery, an abscess was noted at the apex, but the abscess cavity was not connected to the cardiac cavity. The mitral valve was replaced, and the abscess cavity was resected. The defect of the ventricle was repaired with an 8×5cm Goretex sheet. Cultures of blood, vegetation, and the abscess were negative. It was thought that the abscess formation in the apex was caused by infectious coronary embolism, since cerebral embolism and chest pain happened simultaneously, and the abscess cavity was isolated and not in communication with the cardiac cavity.