Fatal outcome arising from use of a sutureless "corkscrew" epicardial pacing electrode inserted into apex of left ventricle

A 59-year-old man is described in whom the insertion of an epicardial sutureless "corkscrew" electrode resulted in fatal ventricular perforation. Fatal myocardial perforation can occur with this electrode and the apex of the left ventricle should never be used as the site of insertion. Nec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British Heart Journal 1976-12, Vol.38 (12), p.1359-1362
Main Authors: Vecht, R J, Fontaine, C J, Bradfield, J W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Electrodes, Implanted - adverse effects
Heart Injuries - etiology
Heart Ventricles - injuries
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pacemaker, Artificial - adverse effects
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Description
Summary:A 59-year-old man is described in whom the insertion of an epicardial sutureless "corkscrew" electrode resulted in fatal ventricular perforation. Fatal myocardial perforation can occur with this electrode and the apex of the left ventricle should never be used as the site of insertion. Necropsy also showed that the transvenous right ventricular electrode, inserted one year previously, had penetrated a tricuspid leaflet. This could have accounted for the ensuing pacing failure.
ISSN:0007-0769
1355-6037
1468-201X
2053-5864
DOI:10.1136/hrt.38.12.1359