Transvenous Pacing Lead-Induced Thrombosis: A Series of Cases with a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Although transvenous pacing is a safe treatment modality for bradyarrhythmias, serious thrombotic and embolic complications are reported to occur in 0.6–3.5% of cases. We describe 5 cases of pacemaker-associated thrombosis, 3 with a superior vena cava syndrome (SVC), 1 with an axillary vein thrombosis and 1 with a thrombus attached to the pacing lead in the right atrium. All of the patients were initially treated with intravenous heparin which proved successful as the sole treatment in only the least severe case (axillary vein thrombosis). One of the patients with SVC obstruction was successfully treated with intravenous heparin followed by thrombolytic therapy. The remaining 3 cases (2 SVC syndromes and 1 right atrial thrombus) required surgical removal of thrombus and pacing leads. Both of the patients with evidence of infection were in the group for whom failure of medical therapy necessitated surgery.

Journal

Journal ID (publisher-id): CRD

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Cardiology

Journal ID (doi): 10.1159/issn.0008-6312

Title: Cardiology

Publisher: S. Karger AG

ISSN (Print): 0008-6312

ISSN (Electronic): 1421-9751

Publication date Subscription-year: 2000

Publication date (Print): August 2000

Publication date (Electronic): 14 August 2000

Volume: 93

Issue: 3

Pages: 142-148

Affiliations

^aDepartment of Cardiology, The Royal Hospitals Trust, The London Chest Hospital and ^bSt. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, UK

Article

Publisher ID: 7018 Other ID: Cardiology 2000;93:142–148

DOI: 10.1159/000007018

PubMed ID: 10965084

Copyright statement: © 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel

License:

Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.

Page count

Figures: 8, Tables: 1, References: 45, Pages: 7

Product

Self URI (application/pdf): https://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/7018

Self URI (text/html): https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/7018

Self URI (journal page): https://www.karger.com/SubjectArea/Cardiovascular-System

Categories

Subject: General Cardiology