Infective endocarditis in patients with permanent pacemaker
Jorge, S.d.C.; Kormann, D.D.; Medeiros, P.; Mateos, J.C.; Zamorano, M.M.; Silva, L.M.; Zambonini, M.N.; Arnoni, A.S.; Assef, J.E.; Magalhães, H.M.
Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia 62(4): 243-246
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0066-782X PMID: 7998851 Document Number: 425541
Five patients who had permanent pacemaker and infective endocarditis were analyzed. Diagnose was confirmed by a positive blood cultures in all patients and 2 of them had identifiable vegetation in the echocardiogram too. The etiologic agent was Staphylococcus aureus in 3, Staphylococcus epidermidis in 1 and Staphylococcus viridans in 1. Three patients were treated with antibiotics alone: one had no clinical conditions to be operated, one died before surgery and one had good response to antimicrobial therapy alone. Two patients were submitted to antibiotic therapy and surgical removal of the pacemaker system, without complications. It was concluded that the surgical removal of the pacemaker system, as soon as possible, is the choice's therapy.