title: Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema from pacemaker placement.
abstract: Percutaneous insertion of permanent pacemaker leads through the subclavian vein is an alternative to the cephalic vein approach. A rare occurrence and successful conservative management of extensive pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema without concomitant pneumothorax resulting from permanent transvenous pacemaker insertion in an 80-year-old man with syncope and arrhythmia is reported.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, St. Louis University Health Sciences Center, 3635 Vista Ave. at Grand Blvd, PO Box 15250, St. Louis, MO 63110-0250, USA. espiritu@slu.edu
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Espiritu
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Keller
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*