Outcomes of temporary pacing using active fixation leads and externalized permanent pacemakers in patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic device infection and pacemaker dependency

Introduction: The incidence of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections is increasing. Complete device and lead removal are recommended for all patients with definite CIED system infection. In patients with pacemaker dependency, temporary pacing before reimplantation is necessary. In this study, temporary pacing using active fixation leads (TPAFL) was evaluated.

Methods: We reviewed data from consecutive patients implanted with TPAFL after transvenous lead extraction at our center between November 2014 and October 2020.

Results: TPAFL were placed in 334 patients. The mean age was 64.5 ± 16.4 years and 76.3% were males. Two hundred and forty (72%) were treated due to local pocket infection and 94 (28%) systemic infection. The indication for temporary pacing was sick sinus syndrome in 135 (40.4%) patients and complete or high-grade atrioventricular (AV) block in 199 (59.6%) patients. The most common access site for lead implantation was the ipsilateral subclavian or axillary vein (78.9%). A new permanent CIED was reimplanted at 10.3 ± 9.2 days (median 10, range: 2-70) after implantation of the temporary pacing. There were five (1.5%) adverse events related to the temporary pacing during hospitalization. The median follow-up duration was 23.1 months (interquartile range [IQR], 7.2-43.4 months). Only one patient (0.3%) developed recurrent CIED infection.

Conclusion: TPAFL is safe and effective in pacemaker-dependent patients after infected CIED removal. The rate of temporary pacing-related complications, including lead dislodgment and reinfection of CIED is relatively low.