Incidental extraction of a temporary epicardial pacemaker wire with right ventricular perforation during endomyocardial biopsy: a case report

B Skoric; J Samardzic; M Cikes; Z Baricevic; H Jurin; J Ljubas-Macek; D Milicic

doi:10.1016/j.transproceed.2015.02.012

Incidental extraction of a temporary epicardial pacemaker wire with right ventricular perforation during endomyocardial biopsy: a case report

Transplant Proc. 2015 Apr;47(3):844-5. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2015.02.012.

Authors

B Skoric¹, J Samardzic², M Cikes², Z Baricevic², H Jurin², J Ljubas-Macek², D Milicic²

Affiliations

¹ University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: bskoric3@yahoo.com.
² University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

PMID: 25891744
DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2015.02.012

Abstract

Introduction: Right ventricular perforation during endomyocardial biopsy is an unusual, although potentially life-threatening, complication caused with the tip of the bioptome. The majority of perforations in heart transplant patients can be managed without surgery owing to adhesions nearly obliterating pericardial space.

Case report: We report a case of heart transplant patient who suffered right ventricular perforation as a consequence of incidental extraction of a temporary epicardial pacemaker wire during a routine endomyocardial biopsy sampling.

Conclusions: The patient suffered no clinical consequences.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Biopsy / adverse effects*
Biopsy / methods
Cardiac Catheterization / adverse effects
Endocardium / pathology
Heart Transplantation*
Heart Ventricles / injuries*
Heart Ventricles / pathology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Myocardium / pathology
Pacemaker, Artificial*