Guardado Joana, Pereira Vitor Hugo, Fernandes Marina, Sanfins Vitor, Monteiro Vitor, Pinho Paulo, Lourenço António
Departamento de Cardiologia do Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave, Guimarães - Centro de Cirurgia Cardiotorácica do Hospital de S.João, Porto, Portugal.
Rev Port Cir Cardiotorac Vasc. 2012 Jan-Mar;19(1):17-9.
Right ventricular perforation by a pacemaker lead is a rare complication of pacemaker implantation, with an incidence inferior to 1%. It usually occurs at the time of lead insertion or during the first 24 hours after the procedure (acute perforation).Late right ventricular perforation, defined as occurring at least 1 month after lead implantation, is even rarer. The clinical presentation varies widely and is mainly related to the stimulation of extracardiac structures and/or lead dysfunction.Its diagnosis may be difficult and must be complemented by appropriate imaging methods. The optimal management strategy remains controversial, varying from surgery to more conservative treatments. The authors present a case of late right ventricular myocardium lead perforation occurring in a 56-year-old-male patient, approached with open surgery.