Simultaneous infection of abandoned leads and newly implanted leadless cardiac pacemaker: Why did this occur?

An 80-year-old man with a history of dilated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy received a dual-chamber pacemaker for sick sinus syndrome and atrioventricular block in February 2010. On May 30, 2019, he developed pocket erosion, with streaks of pus exuding from the pocket. The pacemaker generator was removed, although both capping leads were left buried under the skin, and a leadless pacemaker was implanted into the right ventricular (RV) apex the next day. Blood and pus cultures on July 15, 2019 indicated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The patient was transferred to our hospital for simultaneous removal of both devices in August 2019. The RV lead and right atrial lead were extracted using a laser sheath and a mechanical sheath. A 23 Fr MICRA® sheath was inserted from the right femoral vein to accommodate an 8.5 Fr Agillis sheath. An Osypka LASSO snare catheter was advanced through the sheath to catch the distal aspect of the MICRA® body. Finally, the MICRA® device was completely removed through the sheath. Culture results for the lead tip and MICRA® were both MRSA positive. This is the first report of late-phase simultaneous infection of abandoned leads and implanted leadless cardiac pacemaker extraction.