Cerebral embolism resulting from a transvenous pacemaker catheter inadvertently placed in the left ventricle: a report of two cases confirmed by echocardiography.
BACKGROUND
Transvenous pacemaker catheters may be placed unintentionally into the left ventricle. This can lead to thromboembolic complications.


RESULTS
We report two cases where pacemaker catheters placed unintentionally in the left ventricle via a patent foramen ovale resulted in cerebrovascular accidents. The malpositioned pacemaker catheters were demonstrated by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. In both patients, no further embolic events have occurred after treatment, which in one case consisted of pacemaker catheter removal and in the other case, anticoagulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Echocardiography can be useful to confirm inadvertent left ventricular pacemaker placement in patients with pacemakers who have cerebrovascular accidents.
Arnar
D O
DO
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
Kerber
R E
RE
D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004868:Equipment Failure; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation