Key result
Subclavian pacemaker implantation can trigger rare contralateral pneumothorax, resolving after chest tube placement.
Why the study?
Pneumothorax contralateral to the site of subclavian vein puncture during pacemaker implantation is a very rare but reported complication.
Case Report (n=1)
Highlights a rare complication of contralateral pneumothorax following pacemaker implantation.
Clinicians should consider contralateral pneumothorax after subclavian pacemaker access; this case leaves open questions on mechanism and incidence.
Case report – An 86-year old patient developed pneumothorax a few hours after pacemaker implantation. Surprisingly, the pneumothorax localized contralaterally to the site of subclavian vein puncture. It was treated with chest tube puncture, under the care of a pneumonologist, resulting in full recovery. Although pneumothorax localized contralaterally to the site of subclavian vein puncture during pacemaker implantation is very rare, it has been reported in the literature.
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Kowara et al. (2018) conducted a case report in Pneumothorax after pacemaker implantation (n=1). Pacemaker implantation via subclavian vein puncture was evaluated on Development of contralateral pneumothorax. Pacemaker implantation via subclavian vein puncture resulted in a rare contralateral pneumothorax in an 86-year-old patient, which resolved fully with chest tube placement.
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