Abrasions of the outer silicone insulation of endocardial leads in their intracardiac part: a new mechanism of lead-dependent endocarditis

• DOI: 10.1093/europace/eus003
• Publication Date: 2012-02-07T04:57:22Z
• Authors: A. Kolodzinska; A. Kutarski; M. Grabowski; I. Jarzyna; B. Malecka; G. Opolski
• Keywords: Abrasion (mechanical)

The aim of the study was to identify and characterize morphology abrasions establish frequency phenomena their association with infective endocarditis (IE). A total 212 endocardial leads removed from 141 consecutive patients—due IE (32), pocket infection (37), non-infective indications (72)—were analysed a stereomicroscope scanning electron microscope. presence in intracardiac part (IP) atrial (P< 0.01) ventricular 0.00002) leads, regardless its advancement, strongly associated IE. There were associations between IP 0.005) two or more implanted leads. In there an any abrasion passive fixation 0.05), dwell time number procedures until removal 0.006). classified into three levels degradation under subtypes according observed stereomicroscope. third level most frequently outer insulation silicone significant is similar those intravenous parts, predomination degradation. case type, time, explantation.