title: [Pacemaker malfunctioning caused by subcutaneous emphysema].
abstract: We report a case of early pace-maker malfunction associated with a collection of air which separates the anodal contact plate of a unipolar permanent generator from the underlying tissues. The air pocket resulted from a complication of the percutaneous technique used to introduce the electrocatheter through the subclavian vein. Loss of capture was attributed to a critical increase in impedance to current flow in the pacing system. The malfunction was corrected by simple non-invasive procedures at the patient's bedside. Air pocket can cause the loss of stimulation of the pace-maker.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Cardiologia, Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera, Genova.
authors.forename: M Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Berisso
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carratino
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Mazzotta
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vecchio
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004646:Emphysema / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000150:complications*
vernacular_title: Malfunzionamento di pace-maker da enfisema sottocutaneo.