Key result
An 88-year-old man experienced a rare late perforation of an active fixation atrial pacemaker lead into the right lung 12 days post-implantation, presenting with chest pain but no tamponade.
Case Report (n=1)
Highlights a rare case of asymptomatic late atrial pacemaker lead perforation into the right lung, emphasizing the role of high-resolution computed tomography for definitive diagnosis.
Prompts caution for late perforations without tamponade in elderly recipients; leaves open optimal fixation and surveillance strategies.
Cardiac perforation by a pacemaker lead is a rare complication of pacemaker implantation. Presentation can vary from chest pain and shortness of breath to the patient being completely asymptomatic. Diagnosis is usually made by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of the chest. Electrocardiograph (EKG) usually shows the absence of a paced rhythm, but it doesn't provide a definitive diagnosis. We describe a case of late cardiac perforation by an atrial pacemaker lead with no signs or symptoms of pericardial tamponade.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Saradna et al. (2017) conducted a case report in Pacemaker lead perforation (n=1). Dual chamber pacemaker placement with active fixation leads was evaluated. An 88-year-old man experienced a rare late perforation of an active fixation atrial pacemaker lead into the right lung 12 days post-implantation, presenting with chest pain but no tamponade.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: