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Recurrent, late-onset pleural effusions in elderly patients receiving pacemaker therapy
Mengqing Xiong1, Zhan Zhang, Ke Hu
1Division of Respiratory Disease, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Medicine
|November 10, 2018
Summary
Late-onset pacemaker-related pleural effusions (PEs) are rare complications. Adjusting pacemaker settings effectively resolved PEs in elderly patients, preventing readmission.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Late-onset pleural effusions (PEs) following pacemaker implantation are uncommon and often misdiagnosed.
- This study focuses on the clinical presentation and management of PEs occurring long after pacemaker insertion in elderly individuals.
Observation:
- A review of 6 elderly patients revealed PEs occurring 3 to 5 months after pacemaker insertion or replacement.
- Patients experienced recurrent hospitalizations for thoracentesis due to transient effects of conventional treatments.
- The average interval from pacemaker insertion to PE occurrence was 4.17 months.
Findings:
- All 6 patients with pacemaker-related PEs showed gradual resolution after pacemaker settings were adjusted.
- No patients required readmission for PEs during a median follow-up of 13 months post-adjustment.
Implications:
- Pacemaker-related pleural effusions in elderly patients should be considered a potential complication of improper pacing settings.
- Adjusting pacemaker device parameters is a crucial management strategy for resolving these effusions.
- This approach offers an effective alternative to repeated invasive procedures.
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