Pneumopericardium caused by a permanent endocardial pacing lead
Akihito Matsushita 1*,
Tatsuhiko Komiya 1,
Nobushige Tamura 1,
Genichi Sakaguchi 1
1 Kurashiki Central Hospital, Japan
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: akihito_matsu{at}yahoo.co.jp.
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Abstract |
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A 59-year-old woman with a history of bronchiectasis was admitted due to a 2-day history of fever and hemosputum. A permanent pacemaker (DDD mode, screw-in lead) had been implanted 3 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. Keywords: Pacemaker; Pacing complications; Electrophysiology; Lobectomy
