Strains of a virtuoso: pacemaker infection and ventricular tachycardia in a violinist
Abstract Purpose Pacemaker-related infections are serious complications of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). This case report aims to describe the occurrence of pacemaker pocket infection and recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) in a Chinese amateur violinist with sick sinus syndrome...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Cardiovascular Disorders |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-025-04495-0 |
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| author | Yuanguo Chen Haibo Zhang Qi Qiao Lian Ma |
| author_facet | Yuanguo Chen Haibo Zhang Qi Qiao Lian Ma |
| author_sort | Yuanguo Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Purpose Pacemaker-related infections are serious complications of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). This case report aims to describe the occurrence of pacemaker pocket infection and recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) in a Chinese amateur violinist with sick sinus syndrome (SSS), and to explore the possible connection between occupational habits and the infection, as well as VT. Methods A 76-year-old male violinist with a Biotronik Evia DR dual-chamber pacemaker presented with syncope and signs of a pacemaker pocket infection three years after implantation. Despite initial antibiotic treatment, the infection persisted with slightly elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and negative cultures. The VT originated from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), as confirmed by echocardiography and ECG findings. The infection was treated with debridement and extraction of the pacemaker and leads. Results Debridement and extraction of the pacemaker and leads successfully resolved both the VT and the infection. The VT was likely linked to the infected lead, while the pacemaker infection was attributed to the patient’s violin playing, which caused mechanical stress and skin damage at the pacemaker site. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with no recurrence of infection or arrhythmias at follow-up. Conclusion This case highlights the importance of considering a patient’s occupational habits when selecting pacemaker pocket sites to prevent infections and complications. In this case, the patient’s violin playing likely contributed to mechanical stress at the pacemaker site, leading to infection. Early identification and appropriate management, including device removal, are crucial to prevent further complications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-afebea9d12734f1dab4e80b8cf8c946d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2261 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Cardiovascular Disorders |
| spelling | doaj-art-afebea9d12734f1dab4e80b8cf8c946d2025-01-26T12:14:25ZengBMCBMC Cardiovascular Disorders1471-22612025-01-012511710.1186/s12872-025-04495-0Strains of a virtuoso: pacemaker infection and ventricular tachycardia in a violinistYuanguo Chen0Haibo Zhang1Qi Qiao2Lian Ma3Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Ya’an People’s HospitalDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Ya’an People’s HospitalDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Ya’an People’s HospitalDepartment of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital of China Medical UniversityAbstract Purpose Pacemaker-related infections are serious complications of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). This case report aims to describe the occurrence of pacemaker pocket infection and recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) in a Chinese amateur violinist with sick sinus syndrome (SSS), and to explore the possible connection between occupational habits and the infection, as well as VT. Methods A 76-year-old male violinist with a Biotronik Evia DR dual-chamber pacemaker presented with syncope and signs of a pacemaker pocket infection three years after implantation. Despite initial antibiotic treatment, the infection persisted with slightly elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and negative cultures. The VT originated from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), as confirmed by echocardiography and ECG findings. The infection was treated with debridement and extraction of the pacemaker and leads. Results Debridement and extraction of the pacemaker and leads successfully resolved both the VT and the infection. The VT was likely linked to the infected lead, while the pacemaker infection was attributed to the patient’s violin playing, which caused mechanical stress and skin damage at the pacemaker site. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with no recurrence of infection or arrhythmias at follow-up. Conclusion This case highlights the importance of considering a patient’s occupational habits when selecting pacemaker pocket sites to prevent infections and complications. In this case, the patient’s violin playing likely contributed to mechanical stress at the pacemaker site, leading to infection. Early identification and appropriate management, including device removal, are crucial to prevent further complications.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-025-04495-0Pacemaker infectionVentricular tachycardiaLead extractionSick sinus syndromeOccupational habits |
| spellingShingle | Yuanguo Chen Haibo Zhang Qi Qiao Lian Ma Strains of a virtuoso: pacemaker infection and ventricular tachycardia in a violinist BMC Cardiovascular Disorders Pacemaker infection Ventricular tachycardia Lead extraction Sick sinus syndrome Occupational habits |
| title | Strains of a virtuoso: pacemaker infection and ventricular tachycardia in a violinist |
| title_full | Strains of a virtuoso: pacemaker infection and ventricular tachycardia in a violinist |
| title_fullStr | Strains of a virtuoso: pacemaker infection and ventricular tachycardia in a violinist |
| title_full_unstemmed | Strains of a virtuoso: pacemaker infection and ventricular tachycardia in a violinist |
| title_short | Strains of a virtuoso: pacemaker infection and ventricular tachycardia in a violinist |
| title_sort | strains of a virtuoso pacemaker infection and ventricular tachycardia in a violinist |
| topic | Pacemaker infection Ventricular tachycardia Lead extraction Sick sinus syndrome Occupational habits |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-025-04495-0 |
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