Abstract
BackgroundErosion of a pacer lead into the chest wall may result in pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade. Free rupture into the pleura or mediastinum can result in hypotension and cardiac arrest.Case presentationWe report a unique case of a right ventricular pacer lead which eroded through the right ventricle into the left chest wall and penetrated a rib. The patient presented with a tender chest wall mass without pericardial or pleural effusion. The segment of rib which the pacing lead had penetrated was removed.ConclusionsThe patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged 1 week after the operation. This case adds to the current literature the justification of removal of temporary and non-functional pacing leads.
Highlights
Erosion of a pacer lead into the chest wall may result in pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade
The patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged 1 week after the operation. This case adds to the current literature the justification of removal of temporary and non-functional pacing leads
We describe the presentation of a patient that had a right ventricular pacer lead erode through the left fourth rib and describe the surgical treatment of this patient
Summary
Erosion of a pacer lead into the chest wall may result in pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade. This case adds to the current literature the justification of removal of temporary and non-functional pacing leads. Background Perforation of a ventricular pacing lead through the heart is uncommon, but can result in a potentially lethal event such as cardiac tamponade.
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