Percutaneous removal of ventricular pacemaker electrodes using a Dormier basket.

Four permanent ventricular endocardial pacemaker electrodes which could not be removed via their insertion site have been retrieved via the femoral vein using a Dormier basket. Apart from short-lived ventricular arrhythmias no complications occurred in any case. Where removal of an otherwise unaccessible ventricular pacemaker electrode is considered essential the use of a Dormier basket percutaneously appears to be effective and more acceptable than surgical removal.