Late Perforation of a Right Ventricular Pacing Lead: A Potentially Dangerous Complication

Abstract

Four days after uncomplicated implantation of a two-chamber pacemaker and a normal postoperative course, a patient was referred to our hospital with left-sided hemothorax and early hemorrhagic shock. Chest X‐ray and CT scan were suspicious of a right ventricular lead perforation with additional pericardial and pleural injury. Immediate surgery was performed via a lateral thoracotomy and the perforation was repaired via direct suture. An epimyocardial ventricular lead was implanted simultaneously. The patient made an uneventful recovery.

Hemothorax - lead perforation - thoracotomy

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