Iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula is a unique complication during pacemaker implantation. A 55-year-old man was posted for pacemaker implantation for recurrent unexplained syncope with trifascicular AV block. After axillary/subclavian venous puncture and introduction of RV lead, arterial spurting was immediately noticed as the the sheath was peeled away. After dissecting the overlying pectoralis muscle, deep sutures and manual compression achieved hemostasis. However, Subclavian arteriogram revealed an arteriovenous fistula from a lateral thoracic artery branch to the innominate vein. Hilal coils were deployed near the fistulous orifice, leading to complete resolution of the leak. After 3 days, pacemaker was implanted from right side. A multidisciplinary approach was the key to successful outcome.
Keywords: arteriovenous fistula; coil embolization; endovascular coiling; pacemaker implantation; subclavian AV fistula.