Manual extraction of a permanent pacemaker: an attempted suicide.
An unusual case of a patient-related pacemaker malfunction is presented. In a suicide attempt the patient manually extracted a subcutaneously implanted permanent pacemaker. This shocking example of pacemaker manipulation by a patient raises the question of the need for more routine of protected sites for pacemaker implantation.
D000368:Aged; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology