Subacute presentation of right ventricular perforation after pacemaker implantation

Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2013;19(1):73-5. doi: 10.5761/atcs.cr.11.01863. Epub 2012 May 31.

Abstract

We report an 87-year-old woman with right ventricular perforation due to a permanent pacemaker lead detected 4-days after implantation. The pacemaker lead was seen to perforate through the myocardium and pericardium and to reach the left pleural cavity. We removed the wire surgically by median sternotomy. The pericardial effusion was cloudy and yellowish, suggesting infection. However, no bacteria were detected by bacterial cultures of the pericardial effusion and pacing wire. The patient developed neither mediastinitis nor sepsis after the operation, and a new pacemaker was implanted safely one month later.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Device Removal
  • Female
  • Foreign-Body Migration / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign-Body Migration / etiology*
  • Foreign-Body Migration / surgery
  • Heart Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Injuries / etiology*
  • Heart Injuries / surgery
  • Heart Ventricles / injuries
  • Humans
  • Pacemaker, Artificial / adverse effects*
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology
  • Sick Sinus Syndrome / therapy*
  • Sternotomy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome