AngioVac system guided removal of vegetations from pacemaker lead-related infective endocarditis

BMJ Case Rep. 2023 Jan 20;16(1):e251097. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2022-251097.

Abstract

The AngioVac aspiration system is a catheter-based technique that has been used for removal of unwanted intravascular material in growing numbers of institutions around the world since 2013. It provides an alternative and a less invasive approach for the treatment of venous thromboembolism and intrinsic or cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED)-related infective endocarditis. This system uses venous cannulas and extracorporeal filtering mechanisms to effectively remove thrombi or vegetations resulting in less invasion and minimal blood loss. We present a case of a woman in her mid-50s who underwent successful AngioVac-guided removal of lead vegetations followed by percutaneous CIED removal.

Keywords: Cardiothoracic surgery; Cardiovascular medicine; Infections; Ultrasonography; Valvar diseases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Defibrillators, Implantable* / adverse effects
  • Device Removal / methods
  • Endocarditis* / etiology
  • Endocarditis* / surgery
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial* / etiology
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial* / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pacemaker, Artificial* / adverse effects
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections* / etiology
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections* / surgery
  • Thrombosis* / therapy