The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 54, 769-770, Copyright © 1992 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Unusual complication of temporary pacing wires in children
JW Bolton and JE Mayer Jr
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Boston University Medical Center, MA 02118.
There have been numerous complications described concerning temporary
epicardial pacing wires including infection, bleeding, and coronary artery
graft disruption. We report a case in which the heart was ensnared by the
pacing wire, resulting in cardiac decompensation during attempted removal.
This complication may be avoided by assuring that a smaller loop of pacing
wire remains in the pericardium.