Surgical treatment of ventricular and pericardial perforation by a permanent pacing lead: a case report

An 83-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital because of pacing failure and suspected ventricular perforation by a permanent pacing lead. She had undergone permanent pacemaker implantation 5 months previously. Chest radiography showed the pacing lead running out of the cardiac shadow. Computed tomography and echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis of ventricular perforation by the pacing lead. No evidence of cardiac tamponade was found. The lead was surgically removed through a median sternotomy. Intraoperatively, the lead was found perforating the ventricle and the pericardium, and reaching into the left pleural cavity but not injuring the left lung. A pacing lead may potentially injure the heart or the lung. Regular check-up of lead position and pacing status is recommended.