Long-term temporary pacing with an active fixation lead

Background: Ensuring a haemodynamically effective cardiac rhythm is a challenge in patients waiting for pacemaker reimplantation after transcutaneous lead extraction due to an infection of the implanted system. Aim: The authors report a retrospective analysis of temporary pacing with an active fixation lead (AFTP) connected to an externalised pacemaker in patients after transvenous lead extraction (TLE) due to an infection. Methods: AFTP was used in 34 patients (12 women) aged from 38 to 88 years (mean 67.5 years). This represented 24.5% of the population of patients undergoing TLE due to infective indications. In 32 cases, the indication for temporary pacing was atrioventricular block, and in 2 patients sick sinus syndrome. The lead was implanted via the internal jugular vein puncture into the right ventricle in 33 cases and into the right atrium in 1 case. Leads were secured to the skin and attached to externalised pacemakers. Results: AFTP was used for 4 to 26 days (average 14.5 days). Re-implantation was performed in 29 patients (85.3% of the study group). There was no early infection recurrence. Three patients died during AFTP (8.8% of the study group), including two due to septic shock, and a cardiac arrest due to pulseless electrical activity in another patient. Conclusions: Temporary pacing with an active fixation lead is an effective and safe method to ensure a hemodynamically stable heart rhythm for a period ranging from a few to several days after the surgery in patients after transcutaneous lead extraction due to infective indications.