Bilateral sternobronchial fistula after coronary surgery--are the retained epicardial pacing wires responsible? A case report.
BACKGROUND
Temporary epicardial pacing wires are routinely used during cardiac surgery; they are dependable in controlling postoperative arrhythmias and are associated with low morbitity.


METHODS
We report a case of sternobronchial fistula formation induced by the existence of retained epicardial pacing wires in a patient who underwent coronary surgery ten years ago.


CONCLUSIONS
Reported complications of retained epicardial pacing wires are unusual. We present this case in order to include it to the potential complications of the epicardial pacing wires.
Sakellaridis
Timothy
T
2nd Cardiac Surgery Department, Evagelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece. sakellaridis_t@yahoo.gr
Argiriou
Michalis
M
Panagiotakopoulos
Victor
V
Charitos
Christos
C
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004559:Electric Wiring / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013249:Sternum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents