Pneumopericardium caused by a permanent endocardial pacing lead

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2008 Dec;7(6):1127-8. doi: 10.1510/icvts.2008.183947. Epub 2008 Sep 9.

Abstract

A 59-year-old woman with a history of bronchiectasis was admitted due to a two-day history of fever and hemosputum. A permanent pacemaker (DDD mode, screw-in lead) had been implanted three months previously to treat complete atrioventricular block. On computed tomography, pneumopericardium was seen, and the right atrium pacing lead was stuck into the right lung. A semi-emergency operation to remove the pacing lead and part of the right middle lobe was performed through a right thoracotomy. Although pneumopericardium caused by pacing lead perforation is rare, the possibility of perforation by the pacing lead should always be considered.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Atrioventricular Block / therapy*
  • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / adverse effects*
  • Device Removal
  • Drainage
  • Electrodes, Implanted / adverse effects
  • Equipment Failure
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Injury / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Injury / etiology*
  • Lung Injury / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Pacemaker, Artificial / adverse effects*
  • Pneumonectomy
  • Pneumopericardium / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumopericardium / etiology*
  • Pneumopericardium / surgery
  • Rupture
  • Thoracotomy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome