The better can be the enemy of the good. Pericardial effusion after upgrading from single- to dual chamber pacemaker. Conservative treatment

Abstract

We introduce the case of 88-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities including severe aortic stenosis and significant scoliosis. In the third-degree atrioventricular block at sinus rhythm, a single-chamber pacemaker was initially implanted. 15 months after the first procedure upgrading to a dual chamber pacemaker was performed, which was complicated by pericardial effusion. It resolved spontaneously, but after 2 weeks it occurred again. Conservative treatment with ibuprofen and colchicine led to resorption of the pericardial effusion.