Delayed perforation of right ventricle with cardiac tamponade: a complication of pacemaker implantation

Eur J Emerg Med. 2005 Apr;12(2):89-91. doi: 10.1097/00063110-200504000-00009.

Abstract

We report a case of delayed cardiac tamponade that resulted from pacemaker implantation in the emergency room of a large urban hospital. A 19-year-old male patient with a pacemaker implanted 10 days earlier suffered from delayed perforation of the right ventricle with cardiac tamponade. A review of the literature revealed that cardiac tamponade is a rare complication of pacemaker implantation. Pacemakers should only be implanted by physicians with relevant experience, and emergency room physicians should be aware of the possibility of the associated complications and be prepared to treat them.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cardiac Tamponade / diagnosis
  • Cardiac Tamponade / etiology*
  • Cardiac Tamponade / surgery
  • Emergency Medicine / methods
  • Heart Block / therapy
  • Heart Ventricles / injuries*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pacemaker, Artificial / adverse effects*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wounds, Penetrating / diagnosis
  • Wounds, Penetrating / etiology*
  • Wounds, Penetrating / surgery