A case report of infective endocarditis of the aortic valve in a patient with an implanted pacemaker / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Infective endocarditis related to pacemaker implantation is a rare complication. However, it is a potentially lethal complication with a mortality rate of 30 to 35%. Infective endocarditis associated with pacemaker implantation usually involves the right heart and tricuspid valve. Conservative treatment without complete removal of the entire pacing system is prone to fail (i.e. result in infection relapse or development of sepsis). Therefore, the total extraction of the entire pacemaker system should be considered as standard therapy for most patients with pacemaker-related endocarditis and for many patients with local infectious symptoms at the site of pacemaker implantation to achieve complete recovery. We report a case of a 42-year-old man with documented pacemaker related left-sided endocarditis that was associated with multiple embolic events. Also, we review the literature regarding pacemaker-related endocarditis and local wound infection, in particular with respect to the modalities of treatment.