Catheter extrusion with infection complicating permanent endocardial pacing. An unusual complication reported in three cases.

Three cases of erosion and extrusion of a pacemaker catheter with infection are reported. Treatment consisted of removing the infected catheter without delay and administering systemic antibiotics. Local antibiotics did not prevent septicemia and resultant death in one patient. Modiication of our original technique by employing the cephalic vein below the clavicle or implanting the catheter behind the clavicle when the external jugular vein is employed has prevented this complication.