Very late-onset atrial lead perforation leading to pneumopericardium

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2023 Jun;34(6):1473-1476. doi: 10.1111/jce.15930. Epub 2023 May 24.

Abstract

Background: Atrial lead perforation may lead to pneumopericardium or pneumothorax within a few days of device implantation.

Methods and results: We report a case of atrial lead perforation 6 years after cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation, which resulted in pneumopericardium and pneumothorax.

Conclusion: Although pneumopericardium caused by atrial lead perforation can spontaneously resolve with conservative treatment, as it did in this case, treatment should be decided based on the patient's general condition and lead performance.

Keywords: cardiac implantable electronic device; cardiac resynchronization therapy; lead perforation; pneumopericardium; pneumothorax.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation* / complications
  • Heart Injuries* / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Injuries* / etiology
  • Heart Injuries* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Pacemaker, Artificial* / adverse effects
  • Pneumopericardium* / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumopericardium* / etiology
  • Pneumopericardium* / therapy
  • Pneumothorax* / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumothorax* / etiology
  • Pneumothorax* / therapy