Acute left hemothorax as a late complication of an active-fixation pacemaker lead

Ann Thorac Surg. 2013 Mar;95(3):1081-4. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2012.07.064.

Abstract

Perforation and migration of pacemaker electrodes into the pleural cavity is a rare event. We report the clinical course and surgical treatment of massive acute hemothorax resulting from intercostal artery laceration, caused by a retained active-fixation pacing lead implanted 10 months earlier.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Atrioventricular Block / therapy*
  • Device Removal / methods*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Electrodes, Implanted / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hemothorax / diagnosis
  • Hemothorax / etiology*
  • Hemothorax / surgery
  • Humans
  • Pacemaker, Artificial / adverse effects*
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed