Kolkata, 11 August, 2025 :
In a significant breakthrough in cardiac care, Manipal Hospital, EM B seen bypass successfully treated a rare and complex pacemaker-related infection in a 76-year-old male patient from Patna, Bihar, who had been suffering for nearly 10 years due to incomplete pacemaker lead removal. The challenging case was managed under the expert care of Dr. Dilip Kumar, Director, Cath Lab & Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Device and Structural Heart Expert, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass.
The patient, Bipin Poddar, a businessman by profession, had his first pacemaker implanted on the right side of his chest in 2015 at a Patna hospital. In 2018, the device was replaced and re-implanted on the left side, but the initial lead from the first surgery was not fully removed. This partial lead left behind caused a chronic infection that worsened over the years, leading to high-grade fever for more than three months. Even after another surgery in 2021-22, the issue persisted.
Dr. Dilip Kumar explained that incomplete lead removal in cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) can lead to life-threatening complications. In this case, surgical scarring made extraction particularly difficult. The medical team opted for an advanced approach, using leadless pacemakers (LPs) in combination with transvenous lead extraction (TLE), ensuring the infected lead was removed without jeopardizing heart function.
Following the successful procedure, the infection was eradicated, and the patient was discharged in good health.
Recalling his ordeal, Bipin Poddar said, “I was suffering for years with intermittent fever and weakness. Even after multiple surgeries in Patna, the core issue was never addressed. At Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Dr. Dilip Kumar and his team correctly identified and treated the problem with great care and professionalism. I feel like I have been reborn.”
Dr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Regional Chief Operating Officer, Manipal Hospital – East, noted that the successful treatment reflects the hospital’s expertise in handling highly complicated cardiac cases. “Successfully treating a decade-old pacemaker infection showcases our commitment to cutting-edge cardiac care and clinical excellence,” he said.
Manipal Hospitals is among India’s leading healthcare providers, with a network of 38 hospitals across 19 cities, over 10,500 beds, and more than 7,200 doctors, serving over 7 million patients annually.
