title: Failure of unipolar pacemaker secondary to subcutaneous emphysema.
abstract: Failure of a pacemaker to capture may be related to several factors. This report describes a case with loss of capture of a unipolar pacemaker following the development of subcutaneous emphysema. Once the diagnosis is established, treatment options include tube thoracostomy, pressure dressing, aspiration of air or fluid from the pocket, or insertion at a new site.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Blackwell
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Rha-Waitze
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Symbas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy