Transvenous placement of a pacemaker lead through an introducer despite long-standing subclavian-vein occlusion.
Under ordinary circumstances complete chronic subclavian vein occlusion precludes using that vein for the pacemaker lead. There are circumstances, however, in which a patent vein beyond the obstruction can be reached with an introducer needle, thus permitting transvenous access similar to any other introducer-assisted implantation. A case exemplifying this point is described. Patency of the right subclavian vein beyond an occlusion was demonstrated by angiography, and a new dual-chamber pacemaker lead was inserted through that site by use of the introducer method.
Parsonnet
V
V
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark.
Bonavita
G J
GJ
D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D013350:Subclavian Vein / Q000473:pathology; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000473:pathology