Pneumopericardium: an uncommon complication of atrial lead perforation following pacemaker implantation.

ABSTRACT

Cardiac perforation is an infrequent but potentially life-threatening complication of pacemaker implantation. We report a case of right atrial lead perforation complicated by pneumopericardium shortly after pacemaker lead insertion. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed no evidence of pericardial effusion and pacemaker lead displacement, but a thoracic computed tomography scan illustrated the lead course and confirmed the diagnosis. This case suggests that computed tomography is a sensitive modality to confirm the diagnosis at the early stage of this complication.