title: Pneumopericardium caused by a permanent endocardial pacing lead.
abstract: A 59-year-old woman with a history of bronchiectasis was admitted due to a two-day history of fever and hemosputum. A permanent pacemaker (DDD mode, screw-in lead) had been implanted three months previously to treat complete atrioventricular block. On computed tomography, pneumopericardium was seen, and the right atrium pacing lead was stuck into the right lung. A semi-emergency operation to remove the pacing lead and part of the right middle lobe was performed through a right thoracotomy. Although pneumopericardium caused by pacing lead perforation is rare, the possibility of perforation by the pacing lead should always be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. akihito_matsu@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Akihito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matsushita
authors.forename: Tatsuhiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Komiya
authors.forename: Nobushige
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tamura
authors.forename: Genichi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sakaguchi
mesh_terms: D054537:Atrioventricular Block / Q000628:therapy*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020878:Device Removal; D004322:Drainage; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000009:adverse effects; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055370:Lung Injury / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011026:Pneumopericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012421:Rupture; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome