The implantation of permanent pacemakers is increasing year by year, and these devices are constantly being improved. Atrial lead perforation is an infrequent but a critical complication of pacemaker implantation. Recently, there have been increasing reports on the complication with the advances made in imaging modalities, and moreover, computed tomography scans can reveal delayed atrial lead p...

BACKGROUND Although cochlear implantation has been almost a standard otological procedure worldwide, it may still create a dilemma for the surgeon in some unusual instances such as Seckel syndrome, aural atresia and posterior fossa arachnoid cyst. CASE REPORT Three extraordinary cases of cochlear implantation were reported. The first case was a case of Seckel syndrome with a cardiac pacemaker...

Cardiac symptoms as an initial presentation of malignant lymphoma are rarely seen. We report a 42-year-old male patient of primary cardiac lymphoma originating in the left atrium with episodes of syncope. Complete atrioventricular (AV) block was found by electrocardiography, and the patient was admitted for pacemaker implantation. Before permanent pacemaker implantation, transthoracic echocardi...

Background: To determine whether local complications at the site of pacemaker implantation indicate infection of the intravascular part of the lead as well as of the pacemaker pocket. Methods: 105 patients admitted for local inflammatory findings, impending pacemaker or lead exteriorisation, frank pacemaker or lead exteriorisation, or overt infection were studied prospectively. After systematic...

Persistent left superior vena cava with absent right superior vena cava is a very rare venous anomaly and is known as isolated PLSVC. It is usually an asymptomatic anomaly and is mostly detected during difficult central venous access or pacemaker implantation, though it could also be associated with an increased incidence of congenital heart disease, arrhythmias, and conduction disturbances. He...

Vascular access has remained a major challenge for implantation of permanent pacemaker leads. A persistent Left Superior Vena Cava (LSVC), especially with an absent Right Superior Vena Cava (RSVC), is a rare finding during pacemaker implantation and is accompanied by technical difficulties. Herein, we describe a case of sinoatrial node arrest, in which finding a suitable vein for passing the le...

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for new-onset atrioventricular (AV) block requiring pacemaker (PM) implantation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). BACKGROUND High-grade AV block and consecutive PM implantation are frequent complications following TAVI. METHODS For logistic regression analysis, we included 159 patients (mean age: 81 +/- 6 year...

A 65-year-old man was scheduled for pacemaker implantation for symptomatic sick-sinus-syndrome (SSS). He suffered from multiple drug-allergies and allergies to several metals like quicksilver and titanium. Gold-coated pacemaker generators and polyurethane leads are effective in avoiding allergic reactions to pacing system components. Therefore, we decided to implant a custom-made gold-coated DD...

Background—Infection remains a serious complication after permanent pacemaker implantation. Antibiotic prophylaxis is frequently prescribed at the time of insertion to reduce its incidence, although results of well-designed, controlled studies are lacking. Methods and Results—We performed a meta-analysis of all available randomized trials to evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis ...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Chest radiographs (CXRs) are performed routinely after permanent pacemaker implantation to identify pacemaker lead position and exclude pneumothorax. We assessed the clinical value and need for this procedure. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of pacemaker data and CXRs following permanent pacemaker insertion between December 2002 and February 2004. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pos...