Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED)-related infections are a major complication of CIED therapy and associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of lead erosion as one cause of the CIED-related infections and to provide detailed information about the therapy of two cases of lead erosion.

We retrospectively screened the database of a large clinic specialized on patients with CIED (HIZ BERLIN Herzschrittmacher- und ICD-Zentrum, Berlin, Germany) for cases of lead erosion between 2015 and 2020. A total of 5971 outpatients were treated at the HIZ BERLIN – including 4782 patients with a one- or two-chamber pacemaker, 837 patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and 352 patients with a biventricular device for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The incidence of lead erosion was 0.033%. As one of the two patients, who suffered from lead erosions, had no signs of systemic infection, the patient received local therapy with an antimicrobial mesh and intravenous antibiotics. After twelve months, he showed a good clinical outcome without ongoing or recurring infection.

In conclusion, the incidence of lead erosion is low. In case of lead erosions without signs of systemic infection, an antimicrobial mesh might be implanted as an off-label use in patients that decline complete device removal.

心脏植入式电子设备 (CIED) 相关感染是 CIED 治疗的主要并发症，并与高发病率和死亡率相关。本研究的目的是评估铅腐蚀作为 CIED 相关感染原因之一的发生率，并提供有关两例铅腐蚀治疗的详细信息。

我们回顾性筛选了一家大型诊所的数据库，该诊所专门研究 CIED 患者（HIZ BERLIN Herzschrittmacher- und ICD-Zentrum，柏林，德国），以查找 2015 年至 2020 年间的铅腐蚀病例。HIZ BERLIN 共治疗了 5971 名门诊患者——包括 4782 名使用单腔或两腔起搏器的患者、837 名使用植入式心脏复律除颤器 (ICD) 的患者和 352 名使用双心室装置进行心脏再同步化治疗 (CRT) 的患者。铅腐蚀的发生率为0.033%。由于两名患有铅腐蚀的患者中的一名没有全身感染迹象，该患者接受了抗菌网片和静脉注射抗生素的局部治疗。十二个月后，他表现出良好的临床结果，没有持续或反复感染。

总之，铅腐蚀的发生率很低。在没有全身感染迹象的铅侵蚀的情况下，对于拒绝完全移除装置的患者，可能会植入抗菌网片作为标签外使用。