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Eugene A. Grossi
Michael A. Parish
Michael R. Kralik
Lawrence R. Glassman
Rick A. Esposito
Greg H. Ribakove
Aubrey C. Galloway
Stephen B. Colvin
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Ann Thorac Surg 1993;56:156-157
© 1993 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Articles

Direct-current injury from external pacemaker results in tissue electrolysis

Eugene A. Grossi, MD*, Michael A. Parish, MD, Michael R. Kralik, MD, Lawrence R. Glassman, MD, Rick A. Esposito, MD, Greg H. Ribakove, MD, Aubrey C. Galloway, MD, Stephen B. Colvin, MD

Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University Medical Center, New York, New York USA

Accepted for publication August 24, 1992.

* Address reprint requests to Dr Grossi, Department of Surgery, NYU Medical Center, 530 First Ave, New York, NY 10016.

In two patients undergoing open heart operations, electrochemical bums developed at the sites of connection to an external pacing system. Investigation revealed that failure of the pacing generator caused a small, continuous, direct current to pass through the patients, resulting in electrolysis at the sites of contact with the pacing and grounding wires. This electrolytic reaction was recreated in a mock pacing system and resulted in tissue injury and disintegration of the pacing wire. Guidelines to help recognize and prevent this complication are presented.




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Home page
 Ann. Thorac. Surg.Home page
E. A. Grossi
Direct-current injury from external pacemaker results in tissue electrolysis
Ann. Thorac. Surg., April 1, 1994; 57(4): 1053 - 1053.
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