title: Complications of epicardial pacing wire removal.
abstract: Epicardial pacing wire removal (EPWR) is a procedure performed on postoperative cardiac surgery patients. Nurses who assist with or perform this procedure need to be aware of its possible complications; these include bleeding, pericardial or mediastinal tamponade, ventricular dysrhythmias, wire fragment migration, and infection secondary to retained wire fragments. Patients undergoing EPWR should be monitored for signs of complications; appropriate emergency equipment should be readily available, and nurses should educate patients on possible problems and interventions.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: O F
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Alligood
mesh_terms: D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing