Infection and superior vena cava syndrome after pacemaker implantations: major consequences of a minor intervention

Two men, aged 71 and 56 years, with pacemakers, developed the superior vena cava syndrome one and five years, respectively, after infection of the pacemaker pocket. They had been treated with antibiotics and partial removal of the foreign bodies. The conditions of both included occlusion of the supe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde Vol. 141; no. 27; p. 1321
Main Authors:	de Kluiver, E P, Hoorntje, J C, Leicher, F G
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	Dutch
Published:	Netherlands 05-07-1997
Subjects:	Aged Humans Male Middle Aged Pacemaker, Artificial - adverse effects Superior Vena Cava Syndrome - etiology Thrombophlebitis - complications
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Summary:	Two men, aged 71 and 56 years, with pacemakers, developed the superior vena cava syndrome one and five years, respectively, after infection of the pacemaker pocket. They had been treated with antibiotics and partial removal of the foreign bodies. The conditions of both included occlusion of the superior vena cava and of both subclavian veins. The symptoms disappeared after removal of the total pacemaker system and venous reconstruction. The possibility of a superior vena cava syndrome occurring is increased if other complications have occurred previously, particularly infection. Prevention and treatment comprise on the one hand prevention and treatment of the infection (which is not always obvious) and on the other, earliest possible detection of thromboembolisms.
ISSN:	0028-2162