Transmyocardial Migration of a Temporary Epicardial Pacing Wire

Abstract

Transmyocardial migration of a retained temporary epicardial pacing wire has been rarely reported in adult patients after heart surgery. We present the case of a child in whom a temporary epicardial pacing wire was discovered incidentally in the right ventricular outflow tract one year after surgical repair of congenital heart disease. The pacing wire was subsequently extracted using the snare method during cardiac catheterization. Clinicians caring for patients after congenital heart surgery should be aware of this uncommon though potentially life-threatening complication.