[Heart perforation following transvenous implantation of a cardiac pacemaker]

Abstract

Objectives: We studied the incidence, clinical signs and severity of heart perforations occurring after transvenous pacemaker implantation.

Patients and methods: A series of 16 consecutive cases of heart perforation observed in one cardiac pacing unit from 1989 to 1998 were reviewed.

Results: Heart perforation occurred after implantation in 9 cases; the verall incidence for all lead implantation was 0.57%. The ventricle was perforated in 6 cases, the atrium in 1, and an undetermined site in 2 cases. Active fixation was involved in 5 cases, passive fixation in 4. A bipolar lead was used in 7 cases and a unipolar lead in 2. Heart perforation occurred after prior external stimulation in 7 cases, including one case with tamponnade requiring emergency pericardial drainage after implantation. Repositioning the lead in the ventricle was sufficient in 6 cases and a thoracotomy for an atrial wound was performed in 1 case. Difficulties in right ventricular catheterism due to kyphoscoliosis in elderly subjects was found to be a risk factor.

Conclusion: Heart perforation following transvenous pacemaker implantation is an exceptional complication with currently used material. Tamponnade is extremely rare. Besides verifying the mechanical performance of the leads, prevention requires a rigorous protocol for catheterism and wall fixation.