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

Abstract

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.