Migration of a Temporary Epicardial Pacing Wire into the Ascending Aorta

Satoru Makita

Toshiyuki Maruyama

（Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan）

A 77-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for the treatment of aortic insufficiency and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. She underwent aortic valve replacement, pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial appendectomy. Temporary epicardial pacing wires（TEPWs）were placed on the right ventricle at the operation, and were cut flush with her skin surface prior to discharge because of difficulty in traction removal. She was discharged in good condition. Sixteen days after her discharge, she was re-admitted for fever. A computed tomography revealed cellulitis of the chest, and migration of one retained TEPW extending from the ascending aorta to the right subclavian artery. Removal of the migrated TEPW and sternal resection with omentopexy for sternal osteomyelitis were performed. Her postoperative course was uneventaful. TEPWs should be completely removed when possible. If TEPWs are retained, this should be kept in mind when the patient presents with complications postoperatively.

 

Jpn. J. Cardiovasc. Surg. 44:350-353（2015）

Keywords：temporary epicardial pacing wire;migration;aorta;complications