An unusual cause of pocket hematoma: Injury to a superior thoracic artery branch

Despite considerable advances in pacemaker technology, vascular access, and implantation technique, implant site hematomas remain a challenging and important procedural complication. There is a significant increase in infection risk and morbidity associated with hematomas. The majority of hematomas are managed conservatively; however, occasional cases that do not respond to conservative management do occur. Here we present a pacemaker hematoma caused by injury to a branch of the superior thoracic artery, which resolved after embolization of the vessel.