Permanent Pacemaker Implantation in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Versus the Operating Room: An Analysis of Hospital Charges and Complications

Permanent pacemakers may be implanted in operating rooms, special procedure laboratories, or cardiac catheterization laboratories. Previous investigators have shown no difference in efficacy or complications in the operating room versus the cardiac catheterization laboratory. We retrospectively analyzed the hospital bills of 30 patients undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation at our institution. Group I was 15 consecutive patients implanted in the operating room and group II was 15 consecutive patients implanted in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, all by the same operators. Hospital charges that were specific to the site of implantation were analyzed. Physician charges for implantation, anesthesiologist, and radiologist charges were not analyzed. There were no in-hospital complications in either group. The mean charges for group I were $1,856.00 and group II were $1,075.00 (P < 0.001). We conclude that implantation of permanent pacemakers in the cardiac catheterization laboratory is associated with significantly lower hospital charges compared to implantation in the operating room and has an equally low complication rate.     

Cardiac tamponade as complication of active-fixation atrial lead perforations: proposed mechanism and management algorithm

BACKGROUND: Cardiac tamponade is a rare complication after implantation of dual chamber pacemaker or defibrillator systems. Its pathophysiology and optimal management are not currently well established. METHODS: Three cases of cardiac tamponade following successful implantation of transvenous dual chamber pacemakers with active-fixation atrial leads were identified. RESULTS: All three patients with post-implant cardiac tamponade were suspected to have the same etiology of bleeding into the pericardial space. This was due to protrusion of the helix of the active-fixation atrial pacing lead through the atrial wall with subsequent abrasion of visceral pericardial layer and bleeding from the atrium through the perforation. In two patients, the perforation sites were visualized and repaired during open thoracotomy in the operating room. The third patient underwent lead repositioning under fluoroscopic guidance in the electrophysiology laboratory. CONCLUSION: Based on the reviewed cases, we describe the pathophysiology of, and recommend a safe conservative algorithm for, the management of cardiac tamponade after successful transvenous lead implantation. Percutaneous pericardiocentesis with placement of the pericardial drain followed by lead repositioning under fluoroscopic guidance with surgical backup appears to be safe and effective.     

临时心脏起搏器临床应用效果及护理配合

目的探讨运用心脏临时起搏器抢救严重心律失常、更换永久性心脏起搏器及心动过缓的外科手术患者围手术期需用临时起搏器保护的临床效果及护理经验。方法 2008年8月-2011年7月,共对30例缓慢型心律失常者实施临时心脏起搏术。术前做好患者的心理护理,做好器材及药品准备;术中抢救器械、抢救药品处于备用状态,作好术中配合及病情观察;术后护理,观察生命体征及相关症状变化。结果安置心脏临时起搏器患者共30例,除1例因合并下壁心肌梗死、严重心力衰竭抢救无效死亡外,其余均取得满意的治疗效果,术中、术后无并发症发生,术后恢复良好,病情稳定出院。结论心脏临时起博器运用于抢救严重心律失常患者、赢得进一步抢救时间,更换永久性心脏起博器患者的临时保护,以及心动过缓的外科手术患者围手术期保护,均是一种安全有效的治疗方法。做好术前、术中及术后的护理是必要保证。     

Aortic perforation by active-fixation atrial pacing lead

This report describes perforation of the aorta related to the implantation of an active-fixation atrial pacing lead, a previously undocumented complication of pacemaker implantation. The complication was related to excessive tissue penetration by the screw at the tip of the lead or perforation of the lead body by the positioning stylet during manipulation whereupon the stylet traversed the atrial wall and aortic wall. Perforation of the aorta should be part of the differential diagnosis of cardiac tamponade after pacemaker implantation.     

Postpacemaker implant pericarditis: incidence and outcomes with active-fixation leads

Pericarditis has been noted as a potential complication of pacemaker implantation. This study evaluated the risk of developing pericarditis following pacemaker implantation with active-fixation atrial leads. Included were 1,021 consecutive patients (mean age 73.4+/-0.4 years, range 16-101 years; 45.2% women) undergoing new pacemaker system implantation between 1991 and 1999 who were reviewed for the complication of pericarditis. The incidence and outcomes of postimplantation pericarditis in patients receiving active-fixation atrial leads were compared to those not receiving these leads. Of 79 patients who received active-fixation atrial leads, 4 (5%) developed pericarditis postpacemaker implantation. Of 942 patients with passive-fixation atrial leads or no atrial lead (i.e., a ventricular lead only), none developed pericarditis postoperatively (P < 0.001). Of patients receiving active-fixation ventricular leads only (n = 97), none developed pericarditis. No complications were apparent at the time of implantation in patients who developed pericarditis. Pleuritic chest pain developed between 1 and 28 hours postoperatively. Three patients had pericardial rubs without clinical or echocardiographic evidence of tamponade. They were treated conservatively with acetylsalicylic acid or ibuprofen and their symptoms resolved without sequelae in 1-8 days. One patient (without pericardial rub) died due to cardiac tamponade on postoperative day 6. Postmortem examination revealed hemorrhagic pericarditis with no gross evidence of lead perforation. Pericarditis complicates pacemaker implantation in significantly more patients who receive active-fixation atrial leads. It may be precipitated byperforation of the atrial lead screw through the thin atrial wall. Patients developing postoperative pericarditis should befollowed closely due to the risk of cardiac tamponade.     

A successful treatment of cardiac tamponade due to an aortic dissection using open-chest massage

An 81-year-old woman became unconsciousness after complaining of a backache, and then, an ambulance was called. She was suspected to have an aortic dissection by the emergency medical technicians and was transferred to our department. On arrival, she was in shock. Emergency cardiac ultrasound disclosed good wall motion with cardiac tamponade but no complication of aortic regurgitation. Computed tomography of the trunk revealed a type A aortic dissection with cardiac tamponade. During performance of pericardial drainage, she lapsed into cardiopulmonary arrest. Immediately after sterilization of the patient's upper body with compression of the chest wall, we performed a thoracotomy and dissolved the cardiac tamponade by pericardiotomy and obtained her spontaneous circulation. Fortunately, blood discharge was ceased immediately after controlling her blood pressure aggressively. As she complicated pneumonitis, conservative therapy was performed. Her physical condition gradually improved, and she finally could feed herself and communicate. In cases of acute cardiac tamponade, simple pericardiocentesis often is not effective due to the presence of the clot, and a cardiac tamponade by a Stanford type A aortic dissection is highly possible to complicate cardiac arrest, so emergency physicians should be ready to provide immediate open cardiac massage to treat such patients.     

Uncomplicated heart and lung perforation by a displaced ventricular pacemaker lead: a case report

Lead perforation is a rare complication of pacemaker implantation and associated with the risk of disastrous results like cardiac tamponade or pneumo-hemothorax. We report a patient in whom a ventricular lead perforated the right ventricle and left lung parenchyma without the development of cardiac tamponade, pneumothorax, or hemothorax. No objective evidence for perforation was found on echocardiographic evaluation and thorax computed tomography has made the definite diagnosis. In the literature available to us, it is the first reported case of an uncomplicated right ventricular and lung parenchymal perforation associated with pacemaker implantation.     

A shorter hospital stay after cardiac pacemaker implantation

In an effort to shorten the hospital stay after implantation of a permanent cardiac pacemaker, some physicians have begun performing pacemaker implantation on an ambulatory basis. To assess the potential safety of shortening the duration of hospitalization after pacemaker implantation, we reviewed the complications that occurred in 100 consecutive patients after pacemaker implantation and noted the time after the implantation when the complications occurred. In our study group, all complications that necessitated invasive intervention occurred within 24 hours after the pacemaker implantation. Complications that necessitated noninvasive programming occurred as long as 72 hours after implantation, and all could have been safely corrected at the time of follow-up had the patient been dismissed at the 24-hour period. Although we do not believe that ambulatory pacemaker implantation should be routinely implemented at this time, the practice of dismissing patients at 24 hours after pacemaker implantation and scheduling subsequent outpatient follow-up seems to be safe and effective.     

起搏器植入术后患者心脏康复信息需求现状及影响因素分析

目的:探讨永久起搏器植入术后患者心脏康复信息需求现状及影响因素.方法:选取安徽省合肥市某二级甲等综合医院2020年6月至12月心血管内科住院且首次接受永久起搏器植入术的患者189例作为研究对象.通过问卷调查评估起搏器植入术后患者心脏康复信息需求现状,分析起搏器术后患者心脏康复信息需求的影响因素.结果:起搏器植入术后患者...     

心脏起搏器的临床应用经验

随着人工心脏起搏器植入研究的发展，起搏器植入的适应证也不断扩展，我们植入的起搏器５７例为右心室起搏，３例为房室顺序起搏，２例为右心室心起搏及频率反应性起搏。有２例出现合并症，１例为术后３天电极脱位；１例起搏器外露，经再次植入起搏良好。急性心肌梗死患者若有植入起搏器指征时．要根据梗死部位来抉择植入的时间。     

Emergency physician credentialing for resuscitative thoracotomy for trauma

Objective: A low case incidence and variable skill level prompted the development of a credentialing programme and specific surgical training in resuscitative thoracotomy for emergency physicians at The Alfred, a Level 1 Adult Victorian Major Trauma Service. Methods: A review of the incidence of traumatic pericardial tamponade and the objectives of resuscitative thoracotomy were undertaken. Results: A training programme involving pre‐reading of a 17 page teaching manual, a 40 min didactic lecture and a 2 h surgical skills station using anaesthetized pigs were developed. The specific indication for resuscitative thoracotomy for this programme is ultrasound demonstrated cardiac tamponade secondary to blunt or penetrating truncal trauma in a haemodynamically unstable patient with a systolic blood pressure of less than 70 mmHg despite pleural decompression and intravenous volume replacement. Cardiac electrical activity must be present. The primary aims of resuscitative thoracotomy taught are release of cardiac tamponade, control of haemorrhage and access for internal cardiac massage. Conclusion: Emergency physicians working in high‐volume Trauma Centres are expected to diagnose cardiac tamponade and on occasion decompress the pericardium. Specific training in the procedure should be undertaken.     

Need for bedside emergency department ultrasonography: case report of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy

Ultrasonography is a useful tool for the immediate evaluation of patients with suspected ruptured ectopic pregnancy, abdominal aortic aneurysm, traumatic intra-abdominal hemorrhage or cardiac tamponade. The 1999 Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians position statement states that bedside emergency department ultrasonography should be available 24 hours per day. This case study illustrates how emergency physicians properly trained in emergency bedside ultrasonography can use this tool effectively to dramatically impact patient care.     

Inadvertent Left Ventricle Endocardial or Uncomplicated Right Ventricular Pacing: How to Differentiate in the Emergency Department

Background

Temporary transvenous pacemaker implantation is an important and critical procedure for emergency physicians. Traditionally, temporary pacemakers are inserted by electrocardiography (ECG) guidance in the emergency department because fluoroscopy at the bedside in an unstable patient can be limited by time and equipment availability. However, in the presence of atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, and patent foramen ovale, the pacemaker lead can be implanted inadvertently into the left ventricle or directly into the coronary sinus instead of right ventricle. Regular pacemaker rhythm can be achieved despite inadvertent implantation of the pacemaker lead into the left ventricle, leading to ignorance of the possibility of lead malposition.

心脏介入术中急性心包填塞的救治

目的 探讨心脏介入治疗过程中急性心包填塞的临床救治.方法 对21例心脏介入性操作相关的急性心包填塞患者临床资料进行回顾性分析.结果 21例急性心包填塞患者,其中行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)11例;射频消融术6例;房间隔缺损封堵术1例;二尖瓣球囊扩张术(PBMV)1例;临时起搏器安装术2例.抢救成功18例,未遗留严重后遗症.死亡3例,2例为PCI相关的急性心包填塞,l例为临时起搏器安装导致.结论 任何心脏介入性操作都可能引起急性心包填塞,早期识别和果断处理是成功救治的关键.

Abstract：

Objective To provide clinical experience in the treatment and prevention of complicated acute cardiac tamponade in the course of heart interventional therapy. Methods To analyse the clinical features of patients with acute cardiac tamponade and to investigate the possible underlying mechanism. Results Twenty-one cases experienced acute cardiac tamponade when undergoing heart interventional therapy. Among all the 21 patients with acute cardiac tamponade, 11 occurred from percutaneous coronary interention(PCI) ,6 from the radiofrequency catheter ablation , 1 from the closure of atrial rspetal with amplaty closure service, 1 from the percutaeous balloon mitral valvuloplasty ( PBMV), 2 from temporary pacemaker implantation. Eighteen patients were successfully rescued left no serious sequelae. Three cased died, including two PCI-related death and one temporary-pacemaker-installation-related death. Conclusion Any heart interventional operation is at the risk to cause acute cardiac tamponade. Early identification and appropriate treatment is the key to successful rescue.     

Oozing from the pericardium as an etiology of cardiac tamponade associated with screw-in atrial leads

Screw-in atrial pacing leads are widely used. Cardiac tamponade is a complication. An 81-year-old woman with advanced atrioventricular block underwent permanent pacemaker implantation and subsequently developed cardiac tamponade. At surgery, the lead-tip screw was found penetrated through the right atrium but not through the pericardium. The source of bleeding was confirmed to scratching the inner pericardial membrane by the screw tip. Although cardiac tamponade due to perforation and leakage is known, tamponade caused by the trauma of an atrial screw on the pericardium with resultant ooze is less well described.     

Permanent cardiac pacemakers: issues relevant to the emergency physician, Part I.

Many people benefit from the implantation of cardiac pacemakers for management of certain cardiac dysrhythmias. These patients are seen regularly in the emergency department with a variety of pacemaker complications and malfunctions. The presence of a pacemaker may also affect management of unrelated medical problems. This two-part series reviews the medical issues related to patients with permanent pacemakers. Part I covers pacing modes and terminology, complications of the implant procedure, and the approach to a patient with a permanent pacemaker. Part II covers the causes, diagnosis and management of pacemaker malfunction; the pacemaker syndrome; the pacemaker Twiddler's syndrome; and other considerations in the paced patient including diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, ACLS protocols, trauma, and sources of interference. Indications for permanent pacemaker implantation and temporary external pacing will not be covered.     

Delayed cardiac tamponade after pacemaker insertion

Cardiogenic shock is one of the most dramatic presentations in Emergency Medicine and requires rapid and accurate assessment, evaluation, and treatment. The cardiovascular disasters that present with shock include acute myocardial infarction with pump failure, aortic dissection, massive pulmonary emboli, and cardiac tamponade. We report a patient who presented to our Emergency Department (ED) in cardiogenic shock 10 days after insertion of a permanent cardiac pacemaker. The patient had developed pericardial tamponade secondary to the insertion. In reviewing the literature, we found many reports relating to complications of pacemakers and even more information regarding the various etiologies of cardiac tamponade, but cardiac tamponade as a consequence of pacemaker insertion rarely has been reported. Cardiac tamponade can occur secondary to perforation of the right ventricle during pacemaker electrode insertion and manipulation. Perforation is generally believed to be benign and self-limiting and only rarely causes tamponade and hemodynamic compromise; however, that was not the case for our patient.     

Pneumopericardium With Cardiac Tamponade as a Complication of Cardiac Pacemaker Insertion One Year After Procedure

Background: Lead dislodgement has been shown to be the most common complication in the first 30 days after pacemaker insertion. Although it is rare, pneumopericardium with tamponade can also result. Objectives: We present a case of an extremely rare delay from cardiac pacemaker insertion to lead migration with resulting pneumopericardium and cardiac tamponade. Case Report: A 65-year-old woman with a past medical history significant for congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and third-degree heart block, requiring pacemaker insertion 2 years prior with a revision 1 year prior, presented to the Emergency Department complaining of sudden-onset pleuritic chest pain. Her work-up revealed a pneumopericardium with atrial pacemaker lead migration into the right middle lobe of the lung. She suddenly developed hypotension and respiratory distress and required pericardiocentesis and, ultimately, surgical repair for a perforated right atrium. Conclusion: Pacemaker migration can lead to pneumopericardium and tamponade, even up to 1 year after placement.     

Survival and Mortality in 3,701 Pacemaker Patients: Arguments in Favor of Pacemaker Reuse

This study analyzed the results of 3,701 patients implanted with cardiac pacemakers at the Centre Chirurgical du Val d'Or between 1976 and 1981. Two pacemaker populations were compared; those having a new pacemaker and (hose implanted with a reused pacemaker. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups, either in terms of indications for implantation or in terms of actuarial survival of patients. In addition, there was no significant change in survival of the pulse generator. The reutilization of pacemakers appeared to be in no way detrimental to patients.     

Postpericardiotomy Syndrome and Cardiac Tamponade as a Late Complication After Pacemaker Implantation

SPINDLER, M., et al. : Postpericardiotomy Syndrome and Cardiac. Tamponade as a Late Complication After Pacemaker Implantation. In a 78-year old woman, pacemaker implantation was complicated by a transient perforation of the endocardial lead. The patient was in stable condition for up to 7 weeks after implantation, after which pericardial effusion and subacute cardiac tamponade developed and pericardiocentesis became necessary. This case illustrates that even after initially uneventful pacemaker lead perforation, careful, long-term follow-up is necessary to recognize the potential development of late postpericardiotomy syndrome.