Long-term survival with pocket-defected permanent pacemaker after conservative management of pacemaker infection
Infection of a cardiac implantable electrophysiological device (CIED) is a life-threatening condition. The prevalence of CIED-related infections is reportedly around 1.0% and continues to increase.1 CIED-related infections are not limited to generator pocket infections; in some cases, blood stream infections (bacteremia, lead infection or endocarditis) may occur, resulting in mortality.2 The mortality and recurrence rates are higher with conservative management, so complete CIED removal is strongly recommended.