title: Patch migration: a serious late complication of thoracotomy lead systems.
abstract: Thoracotomy patch leads used for implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are generally safe and effective. We describe two patients in whom a late complication of patch lead migration occurred years after the original implants, causing a bronchopleural fistula in one and lingular lobe collapse in the other patient. We conclude that patch migration is a late but possible complication of extrapericardial ICD leads, and should be suspected in patients who present with hemoptysis, atypical pneumonia, or lung collapse after the initial ICD surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Calzada
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Austin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed