We describe a case of culture-negative right-sided endocarditis for which simultaneous transcatheter vegetectomy was performed with leadless pacemaker implantation and removal of a temporary externalized pacing system. The patient did not have a recurrence of endocarditis highlighting the safety and efficacy of same-procedure vegetation removal and pacemaker implantation. This report documents a novel approach for the treatment of cardiac implantable electronic device-associated endocarditis in poor surgical candidates who are pacemaker-dependent.
Keywords: endocarditis; leadless pacemaker placement; transcatheter vegetation removal.
Our patient had a large blood clot in the heart that might have been infected. We needed to remove the potentially infected blood clot as well as replace the patient’s pacemaker as it might have been infected too. This case describes a new technique of removing a blood clot by suction as well as replacing the pacemaker during the same procedure.