Key result
TEE detects lead-associated masses in ~14% of patients, with most lacking clinical infection.
Why the study?
The incidence and clinical importance of pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator lead-associated masses detected by transesophageal echocardiography were not known.
Does the presence of a lead-associated mass on TEE indicate endocarditis in patients with transvenous leads?
Observational (n=153)
Single-blind
Does the presence of a lead-associated mass on TEE indicate endocarditis in patients with transvenous leads?
Lead-associated masses on TEE are relatively common (14%) but are non-infectious in the majority of cases (72%), indicating they should not mandate device removal without corroborating clinical evidence of endocarditis.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Lead-associated masses on TEE may be noninfectious; hypothesis-generating and should not yet alter device extraction decisions.
Downey et al. (2011) conducted an observational in Patients with transvenous leads undergoing TEE (n=153). Lead-associated mass on TEE was evaluated on Incidence of a visible mass on a device lead and clinical diagnosis of endocarditis. Lead-associated masses were found in 14% of patients with transvenous leads undergoing TEE, and 72% of these masses were not associated with clinical evidence of infection.
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