The bite of the lead: Multiorgan perforation by an active-fixation permanent pacemaker lead

Abstract

In the presented case, a screw-in pacemaker lead migrated through the right ventricle, pericardium, left hemidiaphragm, and the left liver lobe into the epigastric region. The rarity of the case is based upon the multiorgan perforation without development of relevant pericardial effusion or intra-abdominal bleeding. Lead extraction was performed uneventfully. © 2010 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.