Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2008; 56(3): 181-182
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-965574
Case Reports

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery after Lung Injury Due to a Displaced Atrial Pacemaker Lead

D. Wendt1 , M. Kamler1 , H. Jakob1
  • 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West German Heart Centre, Essen, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received April 10, 2007

Publication Date:
26 March 2008 (online)

Introduction

Pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators are being implanted in rapidly increasing numbers. Due to the high quality of the material used such as the silicon coating of the leads and the possibility of excellent visualisation and control during the procedure, today transvenous permanent pacing can be achieved with low complication rates [[1]]. Severe complications are rare, but heart muscle perforations with concomitant significant pericardial effusions, some of them life-threatening, still do occur and require urgent intervention, such as an emergency puncture of the pericardium or a thoracotomy [[2], [3]]. Cardiac and lung perforation after pacemaker implantation is a rare complication [[2], [7]]. Generally, it can be managed by simple retraction of the lead; however, in symptomatic patients surgery may be required.

We report on an early perforation of the right atrium, pericardium and consecutively of the right lung with subsequent haemoptysis after dual chamber pacemaker implantation. As there was coexistent coronary artery disease, a primary open explantation of the lead and concomitant coronary bypass grafting was performed in the same operation.

References

  • 1 Dubernet J, Chamorro G, Gonzales J. et al . A 36 years' experience with implantable pacemakers. A historical analysis.  Rev Med Chil. 2002;  130 132-142
  • 2 Dilling-Boer D, Ector H, Willems R, Heidbüchel H. Pericardial effusion and right-sided pneumothorax resulting from an atrial active-fixation lead.  Europace. 2003;  5 (4) 419-423
  • 3 Tran N T, Zivin A, Mozaffarian D, Karmy-Jones R. Right atrial perforation secondary to implantable cardioverter defibrillator insertion.  Can Respir J. 2001;  8 283-285
  • 4 Connolly S J, Kerr C R, Gent M. et al . Effects of physiologic pacing versus ventricular pacing on the risk of stroke and death due to cardiovascular causes. Canadian Trial of Physiologic Pacing Investigators.  NEJM. 2000;  342 1385-1391
  • 5 Eberhardt F, Bode F, Bonnemeier H. et al . Long term complications in single and dual chamber pacing are influenced by surgical experience and patient morbidity.  Heart. 2005;  91 500-506
  • 6 Henrikson C A, Leng C T, Yuh D D, Brinker J A. Computed tomography to assess possible cardiac lead perforation.  PACE. 2006;  29 (5) 509-511
  • 7 Selcuk H, Selcuk M T, Maden O. et al . Uncomplicated heart and lung perforation by a displaced ventricular pacemaker lead: a case report.  PACE. 2006;  29 (4) 429-430

Dr. Daniel Wendt

Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
West German Heart Centre

Hufelandstraße 55

45122 Essen

Germany

Phone: + 49 20 17 23 49 01

Fax: + 49 20 17 23 54 51

Email: daniel.wendt@uk-essen.de